Apartment question: damage while moving?

Question

Our lease is up in June (thank God), and we're in the process of moving out of this apartment (2nd level).

We held a garage sale a few weeks ago at my in-laws place, and we sold our sofa, among other things. While getting the sofa out, we discovered that getting things in was easier than getting things out.

This is how our hallway in front of the front door is positioned:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/FaZizzle/DoorPictures002.jpg

If you can't see very well, you have to go through a Z to get to the apartment itself. When you have to fenagle a true-sized couch through the door, it was nearly impossible.

In the end, this happened:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/FaZizzle/DoorPictures001.jpg

Now we are trying to prepare ourselves for security deposit. Obviously we won't get the security deposit, but what other costs would be added? While it is no excuse, the poor design of the apartment IS the reason the door was damaged.

Going out the balcony was also not an option.

And a second question, if you want to answer is, is that the apartment complex had someone clean our vents for us. Unfortunately, the painters who painted the apartment 5 years ago caked the paint on to the point where the vent cleaner peeled off paint as he opened the vents.

Should we repaint those, even though the paint will be a different color of white or leave it for the apartment complex to worry about?

Thanks--and I'm not excusing the door. This IS an apartment complex built in the 1940s, and other apartments with the same design have had worse problems.

Anyway--I'm not wanting to argue. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, you caused the damage regardless of whether or not the unit is poorly designed for moving furniture. If I were you, I would try and repair the damage to the best of your ability. All you really have to do is spackle and paint, which is easy. Going to The Home Depot and buying some spackle and paint and spending an hour of your time will be will likely be less expensive than leaving it for your landlord to repair.

Additionally, if repair costs exceed your security deposit, the landlord will bill you, and if you don't pay they will probably send it to a collection agency which will damage your credit score.

Answer 2

You will be held responsible for the damages you caused during moving. If the damages exceed your security deposit after all other charges are assessed, you can expect a bill for the difference. If you refuse to pay, you may be taken to small claims court for the difference.

Your landlord is not responsible for your difficulties in removing your possessions from the premises. Obviously, the sofa got in there in one piece without damage, and thusly could have been similarly removed.

Regarding the poor paint job by the vent people, it should be obvious to the landlord that the damage was not caused by your tenancy. Explain what did occur.

Answer 3

The landlord has to provide proof of the cost of repair before he/she can deduct it from your security deposit. If it's more than the deposit, you'll be liable for that cost as well.

The "poor design" wasn't the reason for the damage, it was the poor moving. Obviously someone got the couch into the apartment without damage.

Answer 4

Well I say buy a cheap wooden door and have it replaced and paint the vents who cares what color they are.This way if you fix the Minor things you will get your deposit back.My Son and Daughter in law just moved out of there apt and had a few things to fix and they got there deposit back.Make sure the Apt is nice and clean also.Good Luck.

Answer 5

i do no longer think of you may anticipate to pay much less for transferring out and in halfway via a month as that replaced into your decision. Be common with your self approximately no count number if or no longer you, or one in each and every of your travelers, could have by possibility led to the wear and tear. while you're specific you may desire to no longer have then purely talk on your pal approximately it. in the event that they seem to be a stable pal then they are going to have confidence which you're being common. If it includes it, with none contractual settlement they could't make you pay for something.

Answer 6

Leave the paint alone. Your resposibilities should be stated in your lease.