I am moving out of my first apartment very soon. I plan on making sure all the lights work, replacing the drip pans and getting it into tip top shape. However, my toilet runs very slow and has since I moved in and I had a design of small circle mirrors up on the wall with sticky tac - it turns out that the sticky tact left small oil marks on the wall. My landlord is crap, and I hate this place. I am expecting to loose my deposit because these people are con- artists, but can they charge me more thatn my deposit for minor paint damage? Also Should I paint over the sticky tac marks with some white paint even if it looks patched or should I just leave it be? (this is what I get fo not putting any nails in my wall) I am so stressed out about this and moving and I just want to get out! Any tips?
2007-06-27 19:55:34 · 8 answers · asked by STL 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Even if your landlord is not the nicest guy to deal with, ask him. Tell him you want to get all of your deposit back and you are worried about these marks. Use your best manners no matter what he says but be firm about getting the deposit back. Never let a crabby person know they make you mad. Ask him if he has any touch up paint (right shade) or what he would like you to do to fix it. Be sure to mention you didn't realize the marks would be left-that you were trying not to put nails in the walls. If he gets nasty, oh well, you tried. Document your apartment with pictures, you have small claims court at your disposal. Normal wear and tear should be acceptable and only damage should be deductable at a reasonable rate. Those sticky marks are the pits because they do damage paint and walls. Email the maker of whatever you used and ask them how to get the cr*p off the walls. They may come off with alcohol and some sticky stuff comes off with oil. I would try a dab of cooking oil to see if they will just come off-if it isn't flat paint only. Most glossy latex paint stands lots of cleaning. The oil will come off with a bit of dish soap. Then try alcohol. Or ask that question here. Surely someone had gotten those marks off. Oh and if it's only oil on the wall and he gives you touch up paint, put a little sealer underneath so it will not bleed through. Spray cans of Bin or Kilz stop most things from bleeding through. I prefer that tenants not touch up anything because I know what to do and it is just easier for me. And then, why don't you come rent from me. You should see how some people leave the apartments.
2007-06-27 21:14:38 · answer #1 · answered by towanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never had a problems getting my security deposit back. The longer you are in the apartment (say more than a year), the less likely they are to try to keep it. Any time a landlord has to re-rent out a property they assume that the entire interior will need a fresh coat of paint. Do what you reasonably can to clean off the marks without making it worse, but I would not repaint the wall. You would have spent more of your money, and if he is going to be a prick he will find some other excuse to keep the deposit. Don't bother with touch up paint either, it will never look perfect and he can use that as an excuse as well that you made the problem worse. What you describe is normal wear and tear.
You may be surprised to find that if you kept the place in decent order they do not mind giving the deposit back. But take pictures of the place as you walk out the door just in case and see if you can find your original check in sheet for comparison.
Oh, and one other thing, the cost of legal fees works both ways. Just like it would cost you to take him to court, it would cost him to defend himself and if you present your pictures and documentation to him, you will make him realize that he will lose in court and have to fork over the security deposit by court order as well as pay his own legal costs. I doubt he would really push it if you look like you are serious.
2007-06-28 06:43:50 · answer #2 · answered by Joe B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have been in the apartment for any length of time, maybe a year or more they have to take into consideration normal wear and tear. Meaning that they may have to repaint anyway and to cover the stains they might have to use a sealer like Binz. I would not paint anything if you do something wrong they may be able to recover the cost to undo what you have done. Maybe give a landlord tenant lawyer a quick call and ask. Good luck, Roy.
2007-06-28 03:08:15 · answer #3 · answered by Roy C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure you give them a 30 day written notice to vacate the premises first. i would first wash the wall, if the spots are really sticky you can rub them with Goo-gone and a rag, put KILZ on the wall, then repaint with the same color as the rest of the room.( just to be safe) your landlord may surprise you and give your deposit back. it is always better to do the best you can, then you know in your heart that you did the right thing. also, don't be so uptight and stressed, just ....breath......
good luck
2007-06-28 03:09:01 · answer #4 · answered by kityklaws 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes more time to take them to court then it's worth, I think they have this figured out. It's easier to just let them have the deposit.
I did back one into a corner over this, once, The neighbor took all the entry lights after I left and, they held that against me. They said I couldn't have my deposit back. $350.00 for three light bulbs, they did mention that it would cast over four hundred to take it to court but, I told them I had nothing but "time" I was in the Real Estate business and knew what was going on.
I got my money back.
This is an old game with rental properties, keeping the deposits. I think managements go out of their way to find ways to keep these deposits.
2007-06-28 05:42:20 · answer #5 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they can charge you more than your deposit. If the marks on the wall are not very noticeable, I would not even mention them.
If you think they might try to rip you off, take lots and lots of pictures before you leave.
2007-06-28 03:02:20 · answer #6 · answered by cplkittle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU EXPECT THE LANDLORD TO RIP YOU OFF---WHY EVEN TRY TO LEAVE IT AS NICE, OR BETTER, THAN YOU FOUND IT!!!!---BAIL-OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOUR EX-LANDLORD FULLY EARNS THE DEPOSIT!!!---UNLESS YOU WANT HIM/HER TO ENJOY THE "EASY PICKINGS" WHICH YOU SEEM TO BE WILLING TO BESTOW UPON HIM/HER!!!---BRILLO PADS & A LITTLE " ELBOW GREASE" WILL REMOVE THE "ICKY-STICKY", BUT, THEN YOU'LLPROBABLY HAVE TO REPAINT EVERYTHING, FROM WHAT I GATHER YOU HAVE INDICATED---IS IT ALL WORTH IT--COST OF PAINT, & PAINTING LABOR---SOUNDS LIKE "BAIL-OUT" WILL BE THE EASIEST & LEAST EXPENSIVE COURSE OF ACTION FOR YOU!!!--WHY ADD MORE STRESSORS TO YOUR ALREADY "STRESSED OUT SITUATION"???-BAIL!!!
2007-06-28 04:56:13 · answer #7 · answered by LONG-JOHN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they have to repaint to re rent the apartment anyway - you aren't going to have a problem getting your security deposit back.
2007-06-28 03:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by allrightythen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋