Because of the holidays and poor planning on my part, I have run out of time to fully clean my old apartment. My security deposit was $850. Is there any way they can ask for more than this from me if I simply do not clean my apartment?
2007-12-30 03:48:35 · 6 answers · asked by katie k 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
We didn't destroy the apartment. The floors are pretty dirty and there's some dust - but there's nothing broken...
2007-12-30 04:09:09 · update #1
Sure they can! Your deposit is there to cover any costs for damage beyond fair wear and tear as well as your failure to properly clean the property. If the landlord's costs to repair and clean the property exceed your deposit the landlord is fully within their rights to go after you for the excess costs. Please IGNORE the clueless rubes who say otherwise!
I was a landlord for many years. The worst tenant I had left nearly $8,000 in damages and dirt (mostly dirt -- it was FILTHY!) behind when they left. They were under the impression that their $795 deposit covered their entire liability. They were shocked when I got a judgment against them for the full $8,000 plus another $4,000 in interest, attorney's fees, and court costs. I've collected less than half of that but at least got enough to pay my attorney off and some of the cleaning and repair costs.
2007-12-30 04:00:09 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
YES they can! When I was in college my g/f and I had a tidy little business, cleaning up and painting apartments that lazy "ran out of time" renters just left, with the idea that they would only lose the deposit - these same folks are the ones who stopped paying last months rent = thinking they were going to scam the owner.
But, owners know all these tricks, as long as the cost to clean and repair the apartment (other that normal wear and tear) is documented (a itemized list of work and receipt - provided by my g/f) then they can go after you in small claims.
But you can always blow it off - and as one of the other answers says - landlords will track you down and sue even it they don't get the $$. Judgement goes against your credit.
Then see what your security deposit is on the next place you rent.
2007-12-30 05:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by t S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what state you live in. But, no I don't think they can get more than your deposit unless you've done major structural damage. If we are just talking about general cleaning of the place you should be fine. However, if it's very dirty you may not want to use them as a reference for a new place.
2007-12-30 03:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by Cynthia 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes they can ask for more if the reasonable cost of restoring the property to a fit state exceeds the value of the deposit.
Whether they will be able to force you to pay it is another matter.
2007-12-30 03:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by David P 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they can ask more than the deposit from you. Unless there are physical damages done to the apartment that exceed the deposit.
Most likely what will happen is that you won't receive your deposit back, and you won't receive a good reference from them.
2007-12-30 03:56:30 · answer #5 · answered by selfrob 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
there is a possibility reread your rental contract and make sure ,contact your leasor, and to be on the safe side if you have a local rental government agency contact them and ask them for your rites always remember write down who you talked to and when if there is any controversy better yet send
cc letter to all parties involved stating intentions
one fast cure if you think you mite get dep back hire referenced cleaning co to do job no dep back call in your friends
2007-12-30 04:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by Pat B 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋