I have been renting this town home for 24 months and leaving. Are there any California laws regarding deposit refund. I was told by a friend that if I have stayed for 18 months or longer (which is true in my case), the land lord can't charge cleaning fees or painting fees. Is that true? Are there any laws that protect the tenant in California. BTW, I have kept the rental unit town home very clean. It might just need a carpet clean in my opinion.
2007-07-19 02:50:04 · 5 answers · asked by . 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
My friend said that after living for 18 months, it is considered normal wear and tear. Hence cleaning fees can't be charged.
Is that true. Is so what is the California law that provides such protection for tenants? Thank you so much.
2007-07-19 03:01:13 · update #1
Please see my Y!A here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au3xkAGjkw4IwCrPvpATNiTsy6IX?qid=20070719065055AAGEBxm
2007-07-20 15:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by Superman 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes - california has renter laws
1. no matter how long you have been there, get the carpet cleaned...keep your receipt so you can show it to the landlord. do not give it to him unless you also keep a copy.
2. clean the apt **** and span (clean windows, toilet, bath, tiles floors, walls etc).....make sure that any damages are fixed (like holes in the wall from hanging pics etc)...also take pics of the entire apt- so if you have to go to court you have proof.
3. before you turn in your keys it would be a good idea to do a walk through with your lanlord, so you both can inspect the property together.
4. as for painting...i do believe that it is either a year or 18 months that they should not charge for painting due to normal wear and tear.
open your white pages and look for "Renters Law Line" or "Renter's Right Center"...here in san diego both ar listed and they a free consultation over the phone and will tell you what the law is on the painting.
5. as for your deposit... in california the landlord has 14 business days to return what is left of your deposit with a written desposition.
Good luck - hope this was helpful
2007-07-19 03:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by Blue October 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that is not true. No matter how long you rent, the landlord can charge to clean and repair and damages done. The ONLY thing the landlord is prohibited from charging is 'normal wear and tear', and that doesn't cover much except traffic wear on carpets and the like.
2007-07-19 03:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mom above got another fact wrong. The landlord has 21 days.
They are not likely to charge you for painting and light soiling of the carpet. Damage to the property is their main concern.
2007-07-19 04:13:40 · answer #4 · answered by Landlord 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out this link:
http://www.caltenantlaw.com/Deposit.htm
2007-07-19 06:05:09 · answer #5 · answered by socalteacher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋