I live in VA and I'm curious to find out if there is a maximum amount that a landlord can charge to clean, paint, shampoo carpets once a resident exits the property. Or can they charge any amount they deem necessary?
2007-01-23 04:33:02 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I am also wondering if I have lived here 5 years, will they more than likely consider the painting as "normal wear and tear"? My apartment is not trashed and it's not a dump. I'm just not sure I'll have enough time to do the detail stuff like shampooing the carpets, cleaning baseboards, etc.
2007-01-23 04:35:19 · update #1
Unless there is excessive damage, the maximum is the security deposit. If it can be proven you did damage that is more expensive to repair than your deposit, they can go after you for more through court.
Generally, paint is considered wear and tear and you should not be charged for it (unless there is damage to the wall). If they have to clean the carpet they might charge you for that if it is stained. They may have also put a provision in the lease that says you'll be charged for carpet cleaning out of your deposit. Read your lease over and it should define all of those conditions. Also, check out your walk-in sheet if you kept a copy and check everything against that. They might charge you for anything not listed on your walk-in. Make sure you are with them when they conduct the walk-out and dispute anything you think is not right.
I used to be a Property Manager in VA.
2007-01-23 04:43:19 · answer #1 · answered by Bill S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a general rule of thumb, costs like that are limited to fair market value of services. That means that...whatever a typical cleaning service would charge to clean an equivalent sized apartment. (Assuming, of course, that there are not other damages...cigarette burns in the carpet or countertop, holes punched in the wall, etc....that require more than just "cleaning".)
Of course...some cleaning services charge a little extra to clean apartments, just because they know they can get it.
Good luck!
2007-01-23 12:43:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can charge "reasonable" clearning charges. If there was litigation the court would determine what was reasonable. One way to do this is see what the average cost of the various cleaning steps (such as carpet cleaning).
2007-01-23 13:13:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally up to what ever your security deposit was. But they would need to show you the bills if you disagree.
2007-01-23 13:13:19 · answer #4 · answered by whatelsewhatever 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋