to move and they gave me a form saying what my costs will be if I don't clean my apt. It all seemed reasonable, then I get to the bottom of the form and it says "Upon moveout all carpets need to be professionally cleaned". I've never had to do this before and couldn't find anything in the lease. Does this seem reasonable?
2006-07-17 17:40:52 · 9 answers · asked by FastEddie 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Problem with most damage deposits is they are very subjective. If they think it is dirty they can have the carpet cleaned and deduct the cost from your deposit. Consider buying a house so the only one you need to please is you.
When my father had apartments he (read I) cleaned the carpets after tenants moved out and if they had pets or they had lived there more than 5 years, we simply replaced the carpet.
Unless you really trashed the place any good landlord should give you the majority if not all of your deposit back. It may be that they gave you the "form letter" and they typically don't enforce it because it is more of a hassle to fight the tenant than the $500 to $1000 that you might be able to keep.
If things get ugly consider calling your local better business bureau. They may have some ideas about what is and isn't legal in your state.
2006-07-17 17:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by Gores_IceAge_Meltdown 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It is considered reasonable for a landlord to ask you to leave a building in "a clean and presentable condition". This can include cleaning the walls, ceiling, floors, carpets, drapes, fireplace, fridge, stove, basically ANYTHING within the apartment that you had access to that is not your property.
This is an expert taken directly from the Tenant Protection Act.
Tenant obligation
A tenant has to keep his or her rental unit clean, up to the standard that most people would consider ordinary or normal cleanliness.
A tenant is responsible for any damage to the property caused by the tenant or any guest – whether deliberate or by accident.
A tenant should not hold back any part of the rent if they feel maintenance is inadequate or a necessary repair has not been done. They might face eviction for doing so.
A tenant can apply to the Tribunal for an abatement of rent - approval to hold back rent - if their landlord has not met their maintenance or repair duties.
The Tribunal order will set out the amount of rent that can be held back, and how it can be done.
In their application, a tenant can also ask the Tribunal to order the landlord to do certain repairs or maintenance.
Also, the Tribunal will almost inevitably find in favor of the landlord in matters of tenant damage (yes, they can claim that the carpet being dirty is damage) and ask that the tenant make reparations to the landlord in some monetary way. Its better in every circumstance almost to just clean the carpet and be done with it.
2006-07-18 00:45:29 · answer #2 · answered by Chaosman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laws on this sort of thing vary from state to state. In my home state (CA), the law states that the landlord may withhold the security deposit for "cleaning the rental unit when the tenant moves out, but only to make the unit as clean as it was when the tenant moved in" Of course this sort of vague verbiage can be easily manipulated, but I've never had to do such a thing as most apts consider that sort of thing to be regular wear and tear. You may want to google "tenants rights" in your home state.
2006-07-18 00:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not responsible for that. It's the owners responsablity, it's WEAR & TEAR. Besides it doesn't say it in the lease so you're off the hook.If it were me I wouldn't want to hassel with them, I would just go rent a steam cleaner and do it my damn self. It's basically the same thing.
2006-07-18 00:49:09 · answer #4 · answered by andrea b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to do this also, but it was stated in my lease and they explained it to me when I moved in. I ended up having to spend 100 for the cleaning. I would talk to your apartment owner/manager and see why you were not told about this. Also, if they don't require a receipt (mine did) you could save money and do it yourself with one of the cleaners you can rent.
2006-07-18 00:43:38 · answer #5 · answered by ekaty84 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure thats not them stating that the carpets WILL be professionally cleaning AFTER you move out?
If you are expected to pay to clean the carpets, thats not right. Unless you made em nasty.
2006-07-18 00:44:07 · answer #6 · answered by Legend 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does.Rent a rug doctor for a few bucks and your an instant pro....I would recommend Woolite carpet cleaner with a cap full of pine sol threw in.
2006-07-18 01:14:31 · answer #7 · answered by curious_john 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard of that. The apt owner is responsible for maintenance like that. See if it is in your original lease. If not, tell them to sue you for it. They can't win.
2006-07-18 00:44:49 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No and if it is not in the lease you don't have to do it but then you'll end up having to take em to court and probably end up so frustrated.... sorry. Good luck. Landlords, generally, suck.
2006-07-18 00:43:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋