Fair or Not: Apartment checkout was fine, but landlord hired a cleaning service and charged $160 from deposit?

Question

They did send me a receipt from the cleaning agency, but why should they be able to charge me for this when I did all the cleaning stated in the lease? What was the point of checkout or even of cleaning if I was going to be charged for the cleaning of the whole apartment anyways? I am planning on e-mailing them to request a copy of the checkout sheets.

There was also a carpet cleaning fee that we had to pay regardless, but this is additional and was not included in the lease except for if you didn't clean the things. Once I get the check out sheet maybe I will ask a free legal aid office what to do?

Answer 1

I am a landlord--what they did is most likely unlawful since you say the chek-out was "fine". But re-read your contract-- it may state that the apartment is to be cleaned professionally at your cost. Also, yes, you need a copy of those check-out sheets. And next time do not leave the property without one--signed by all parties!

Some unscrupulous landlords have a phoney cleaning company and just pocket the money from tenants they think they can get away with cheating. Check to see if the company is real--check the phonebook and the city business license division.

If you really cleaned it well, and you have proof, (did you take pictures at move-in and move-out?) or the check out sheets indicate that it was clean, hiring someone is questionable. However:

Be sure you are really clear on what is and is not considered cleaned--that is very important.
Also very important--ask them for a detailed report from the cleaning company--if they claim they do not have one get it directly from the company--if they don't have one you are in luck --maybe. A landlord is required in most states to detail exactly what was done, and how much it cost--not just "cleaning". you can threaten with court if they do not give you your $$ back--and if you do have to go to court be sure you ask for court costs in your claim. (But again, check your contract--it may not allow you to claim court costs so you'll have to weigh the facts carefully before you sue.)
And for the place you moved to--detail everything--in writing, with the manager or landlord present and a witness if you can. NOW!!! Before you've lived there long enough for anything to have built up dirt, loose caulk, scratches, tears, etc. TAKE PICTURES!!! Put the date on them if you can, or put a newspaper with that date on it in the pictures every few shots. Do this immediately also, and do both again on move-out. And tell your friends too.
I hate bad tenants, but I hate bad landlords more!
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Yes they can charge you more than what you have for a deposit, but within reason. Cleaning charges and charge for maintenance. Also, they can't charge you 20.00 for a single drip pan, that is NOT within reason. Most people sign an agreement (lease), I should clearly state on that what is expected of you and of the management company. Throwing away a bill will only result in going to collections, which in turn ruins your credit. The sane and easiest way to get clear, is ask the manager to look at your apartment and ask them if its okay. If they say no, then clean it a little better. Keep in mind, if you do just leave it, it can go on your rental history, and may disqualify you for future rentals. I work in the business and I know how most companies operate, most don't want to charge you. But if it's bad, they will. I hope this helps

Answer 3

Check the lease again.

It may have a non-refundable cleaning deposit listed. If that is the case, no matter how clean you left the place, he still gets to keep the money.

If the check out sheets are all marked as "clean" or "acceptable" or "done" and there is nothing specifically listed that still needed cleaning, you can point that out and tell him had he informed you at the time of the check out, you could have cleaned the item and saved yourself the money. If it was all marked as OK, I would demand my money back in full.

Answer 4

You can argue and complain, but in reality there is little you can do in the long run that won't cost you more than $160 in time and effort.

Next time when leaving an apartment, just realize that they are going to hire a cleaning service anyway, regardless of how good of a job you do on the way out.

Keeping that in mind, do a light cleaning of the apartment (so it isn't trashed) and save your time (and a headache), next time.

Answer 5

If you checked out clean, why don't you have a document signed by the landlord or his rep?

Regardless, you cannot be charged for normal wear/tear/dirt on the apartment.

What you should have done is taken pix to show the condition when you left.

Answer 6

WELL YOU HAD A SECURITY DEPOSIT THAT IS USED FOR DEDUCTIONS? USUALLY THESE ANAL PROPERTY MANAGERS WILL SAY HEY YOU MISSED CLEANING THE TOILET CORRECTLY OR SOMETHING. I HAVE WORKED IN APARTMENT AND PROPERTY MANAGING FOR 15 YEARS AND SEEN IT ALL. JUST CALL THE PERSON THERE AND TELL THEM TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GO CLEAN THE APARTMENT YOURSELF ON THE AREAS THEY CHARGED YOU FOR. THEN SEE WAHT THEY SAY. IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY THEN DONT PAY THEM A NICKEL.
IN MY EXPERIENCE I MOVED OUT OF THIS PLACE THAT HAD MICE. WHEN IT CAME TIME TO GET MY SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK THEY BALKED AND SAID I NEED TO CLEAN THE RAT **** AND CLEAN THE BATHROOMS. WELL GUESS WHAT I TOLD THEM. ANYWAYS I GOT MORE THEN MY SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK SINCE I TOOK PICTURES OF THE **** ALL OVER THE DUMPY APARTMENT BUILDING.
BEST THING IS TO PHOTO AND DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

Answer 7

Usually, cleaning and normal "wear and tear" is not deducted from your security deposit. But your rights vary from state to state, so it's hard to give you a more specific answer.

If you think you are entitled to the full deposit, head on over to the small claims court.

Answer 8

They all do this,Sweety!
It doesn't matter how clean you are,they still use any excuse to sqeeze more money out of you.
Mainly it is because they know most renters cannot afford to take them to court.
We are all going to have to videotape ourselves cleaning & narrate the tale,to justly get our deposits back!
Bad renters have caused alot of this behaviour from landlords,but i have rented from slumlords ,very often,
Who are just plain greedy!

Answer 9

What good is a receipt.

Anything that is normal wear and tear is their responsibility unless it is written in the contract you have to clean the carpet!

Take them to small claims court!

Answer 10

Its not fair but every apartment I have ever lived in does the same thing....Now I dont even bother cleaning just cause I know they are gonna charge me anyyways.....