Landlord keeping my security deposit in PA?

Question

I lived in my apartment since October of 1998 and recently moved out at the end of July. I signed a lease once; during the time that I lived there I've painted and repaired plumbing issues etc. Also, I've had a few minor damages...I burned a hole in the laminate countertop w/ a candle, broke a ceiling, and there were a few discolorations on the carpet and I've accepted that I won't get my $500 deposit together but I think he wants me to pay extra. Do you think I'm obligated to pay more? During the time I lived there not once was I late on the rent, I cut the grass, cleaned the porch, and did all kinds of other stuff and was never compensated. Is that fair for him to request more money from me.

But what part accounts for normal wear and tear after all those years. The carpet wasn't brand new when I moved in and there were only a few stains on it. It doesn't say in my lease that I was responsible for upkeeping the yard at all and/or to paint, fix plumbing or anything of the like, renting isn't my obligation to fix plumbing and/or yard upkeep....its an apartment and he raised my rent w/o a 30 days notice and I've never had a problem with that.

Answer 1

It may be, if the damages and their cost to repair are more that what your damage deposit equals. If you feel what the landlord is charging for the damages is too much, request an itemized list and go to at least two different contractors and get in writing what their objective costs would be to correct the item. (A long time ago an apartment manager tried to charge me for carpet replacement for the entire apartment after living there 4 years due to a lipstick stain that my 2 year old had ground into the livingroom rug; I was successfully able to argue that a professional cleaning could likely fix the problem and was able to get the charge reduced based on my research statements from companies in that field at a mere fraction of what they wanted to charge me to replace the carpet).

Unless it is in the written contract that they are to provide grass cutting and porch maintenance, then it would be your responsibility, along with paying rent on time to meet.

Answer 2

Yes it is. The request for more money is for damages that went above and beyond the security deposit. Ask for an itemized list of damages and prices.

As for cutting the grass and cleaning, that is your responsibility to care for this. That usually is stated in your lease. There is no compensation for doing these 'routine' tasks.