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Security Deposits Used to Pay for Routine Cleaning
Posted on 7/23/17 at 1:59 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 1:59 pm
When did this become commonplace in the renting world? I have always been of the opinion that the security deposit is used to cover any damages to the premise accumulated over the period of time you've been a tenant, not routine carpet cleaning or filling nail holes in walls/repainting. As a new tenant I would be shocked to discover I am moving into an apartment that hasn't been professionally cleaned even if the previous owners left it in immaculate condition.
Seems a lot of landlords are just looking for a way to pass expenses off to the departing tenant. Makes little sense for anyone to rent for a long period of time
Seems a lot of landlords are just looking for a way to pass expenses off to the departing tenant. Makes little sense for anyone to rent for a long period of time
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 2:01 pm
8
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:03 pm to BulldogXero
That's what it is meant to be, and if you have proof that they have a policy of doing x maint after y time you'll have a case to make.
My last rental I even had a melted section of carpet, but I didn't get charged for it because I stayed longer than the period that they simply replace the carpet anyway.
My last rental I even had a melted section of carpet, but I didn't get charged for it because I stayed longer than the period that they simply replace the carpet anyway.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:05 pm to BulldogXero
quote:
Seems a lot of landlords are just looking for a way to pass expenses off to the departing tenant. Makes little sense for anyone to rent for a long period of time
But yes, this is true.
Most places find excuses to keep all deposits. I think part of it is because they want it to average out for the ones who cause more than the average damage and they don't want to deal with the time and expense of trying to get more money out of someone who has left.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:07 pm to BulldogXero
Yeah renters get screwed a lot. But it's still easier/cheaper than owning a house right out of college and in a mobile field
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:10 pm to Col Reb is my mascot
quote:
Yeah renters get screwed a lot. But it's still easier/cheaper than owning a house right out of college and in a mobile field
I think that depends on where you stay. I just bought a 1,700 square foot house and only pay an 800 something dollar mortgage. There are plenty of apartments in town who rent for more than that.
I wouldn't suggest buying a house until you're reasonably sure you're going to remain where you are for the foreseeable future, but I think I waited too long sometimes. I am 4 years out of college.
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:13 pm to Volvagia
quote:
Most places find excuses to keep all deposits
Too true. Last place I rented was a privately owned duplex. Upon moving out I took about 50 pictures of the place empty and also had a printout of the charges that would be made if certain things were damaged.
Walked it with the owner. He said all looked good. 2 weeks later he sends me an email saying he is keeping my whole security deposit ($1000).
When I asked him to provide pictures of the damage he said he didn't have to. I emailed him back with the list of things that they could charge for. Beside each line item I had a picture that I took of that line item upon my move-in and then on move out date. All pictures were time stamped with the date.
Told the owner that if I didn't receive my check in the mail in 5 business days I was taking him to small claims court.
What do you know. I received a check for my full deposit amount 3 days later.
Do your due diligence and don't be scared to go to small claims court. It's free. The owner of my rental just thought he was dealing with some stupid college kid with mommy's money.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:16 pm to BulldogXero
quote:
I think that depends on where you stay. I just bought a 1,700 square foot house and only pay an 800 something dollar mortgage. There are plenty of apartments in town who rent for more than that.
True, and it all depends on situation. If you know your going to be in the same place for 5+ years, it makes sense to buy. But someone who plans on moving on in 2-3 years, you'll want to rent.
Additionally, right out of college, you can afford rent, but may not be able to afford all the additional costs the come with owning a home. Right out of college, it's nice not having to worry about dropping $2,000 for a new AC unit in July when you can pass that expense off on the home owner
ETA: That being said, if your in a situation to buy, it's almost always better to buy.
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 2:19 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:19 pm to baseballmind1212
quote:
Told the owner that if I didn't receive my check in the mail in 5 business days I was taking him to small claims court. What do you know. I received a check for my full deposit amount 3 days later. Do your due diligence and don't be scared to go to small claims court. It's free. The owner of my rental just thought he was dealing with some stupid college kid with mommy's money.
My landlord sent out a mass email discussing move out procedures. I noticed it didn't say anything about a walkthrough, so I emailed her about it. An email and two phone calls later, I got a call back at about 7:30 PM on a Friday where she point blank said my security deposit would be less the cost of any cleaning or maintenance done to get the apartment move in ready. Long story short, we ended up having our walkthrough, but she looked at nothing and made no comments. Kept saying she wouldn't have any idea what I would get back until the contractors have time to look at it.
The good news is that I should expect an itemized list of charges deducted from my security deposit along with copies of each bill to management. I literally cannot wait.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:30 pm to BulldogXero
quote:
I have always been of the opinion that the security deposit is used to cover any damages to the premise accumulated over the period of time you've been a tenant,
It is.
quote:
not routine carpet cleaning
Also true but how do you define routine. You're routine and their routine may be different. Were there stains, melted/sticky items in the carpet. Did they smell realy bad and require extra cleaning charges?
quote:
filling nail holes in walls
This is often called out specifically sometimes with a quantity/size of holes limit.
quote:
/repainting.
Depends on why they are repainting. Did you paint the apartment some oddball or particularly dark or loud color? Did you live there six months but manage to mark, scuff and scrape the wall to the point it already needs repainting?
quote:
As a new tenant I would be shocked to discover I am moving into an apartment that hasn't been professionally cleaned even if the previous owners left it in immaculate condition.
You may be shocked more often than you would like to believe.
quote:
Seems a lot of landlords are just looking for a way to pass expenses off to the departing tenant.
Unfortunately, all too often this is true.
quote:Generally speaking, if you're a good, long term tenant, you usually will get some slack from the landlord/property manager.
Makes little sense for anyone to rent for a long period of time
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:39 pm to BulldogXero
Yes but down payment and maintenance costs?
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:43 pm to mdomingue
quote:
Also true but how do you define routine. You're routine and their routine may be different. Were there stains, melted/sticky items in the carpet. Did they smell realy bad and require extra cleaning charges?
I would expect the carpet to be professionally cleaned regardless of how dirty it is. If the carpet is so dirty that it requires extra cleaning charges, that is a different story. I don't leave stains on the floor and it has been vacuumed regularly, so I'd suspect my carpet is pretty typical for the average tenant living in that apartment for 4 years. If I am charged for this, I will be looking for an adequate explanation.
quote:
This is often called out specifically sometimes with a quantity/size of holes limit.
There is no verbiage in my lease that speaks to this.
quote:
Depends on why they are repainting. Did you paint the apartment some oddball or particularly dark or loud color? Did you live there six months but manage to mark, scuff and scrape the wall to the point it already needs repainting?
I am not allowed to do any painting. There are scuff marks here and there from four years of living. I would not say that it would need repainting such as if I were a current resident, but if I am a new tenant scuff makes make it less likely that I will choose to live there. I repainted all the doors, baseboards, and trim in my new house before I moved in just to make everything look like new.
quote:
You may be shocked more often than you would like to believe.
No doubt, which is why I'm learning renting long term is not a good idea.
quote:
Generally speaking, if you're a good, long term tenant, you usually will get some slack from the landlord/property manager.
We will see. Like I said, I am eagerly awaiting that security deposit to see my list of itemized deductions.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:46 pm to SuperSoakher
Down payment is the biggest hurdle, but in my environment too it's cheaper to own than to buy even factoring in maint costs.
My two bedroom, 2.5 bath starter townhome with attached garage costs more than 200/month less than my 1 bedroom/1 bath rental unit after factoring in interest, PMI, and taxes.
Same general location, and the house was new construction.
If you are willing to sacrifice the mobility, get to that 5% down payment ASAP
My two bedroom, 2.5 bath starter townhome with attached garage costs more than 200/month less than my 1 bedroom/1 bath rental unit after factoring in interest, PMI, and taxes.
Same general location, and the house was new construction.
If you are willing to sacrifice the mobility, get to that 5% down payment ASAP
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 4:18 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:48 pm to BulldogXero
On top of our security and pet deposit...we also had to pay a cleaning fee(I think that was like $150-$200). Pays for the house to be professionally cleaned after we move out. Meaning when we move we don't have to go crazy with the cleaning(just basic stuff like a quick vacuum,mop etc).
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:52 pm to SuperSoakher
quote:
Yes but down payment and maintenance costs?
Well in my situation, I got a USDA loan which meant I had no down payment. For maintenance, the previous owners paid for a 1 year home warranty. Actually had the AC mess up about a month after I moved in. Only cost me $75 to fix.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:54 pm to BulldogXero
quote:
We will see. Like I said, I am eagerly awaiting that security deposit to see my list of itemized deductions.
Hope you don't get a raw deal, there are certainly some shady landlords out there.
quote:
I would expect the carpet to be professionally cleaned regardless of how dirty it is.
Pretty sure this doesn't happen very often, particularly in apartments. The usually have a cleaning crew they use that handles all this stuff. They may rent or the landlord/property management company may own a carpet cleaner/shampooer but that's not what I would consider "professionally cleaned".
Was this a house or apartment?
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:56 pm to lsunurse
This should all be spelled out in the lease.
Many leases (any really good lease) will say that the place will be professionally cleaned and carpet shampooed and that can either be paid for by the tenant or come out of the deposit. Or it should spell out what the costs are.
A very good lease will say something like $300 move out cleaning fee either paid by tenant or deducted from deposit.
Normal wear and tear is in almost every state not a 'damage', so unless it's spelled out specifically how many wall holes you may have from pictures or scuff marks or carpet issues, than thats normal wear and tear.
I shampoo the carpets once a year in my rentals and spell out that the floors must be clear outside of furniture for this. It helps keep the place clean and it requires lazy tenants to clean. It costs like $25/ room to do, well worth it imo.
Many leases (any really good lease) will say that the place will be professionally cleaned and carpet shampooed and that can either be paid for by the tenant or come out of the deposit. Or it should spell out what the costs are.
A very good lease will say something like $300 move out cleaning fee either paid by tenant or deducted from deposit.
Normal wear and tear is in almost every state not a 'damage', so unless it's spelled out specifically how many wall holes you may have from pictures or scuff marks or carpet issues, than thats normal wear and tear.
I shampoo the carpets once a year in my rentals and spell out that the floors must be clear outside of furniture for this. It helps keep the place clean and it requires lazy tenants to clean. It costs like $25/ room to do, well worth it imo.
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 2:58 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 2:57 pm to lsunurse
quote:
On top of our security and pet deposit...we also had to pay a cleaning fee(I think that was like $150-$200). Pays for the house to be professionally cleaned after we move out. Meaning when we move we don't have to go crazy with the cleaning(just basic stuff like a quick vacuum,mop etc).
Well I suppose that's nice, but it sounds like you didn't get the choice. I would have preferred to spend a day really cleaning house if it meant I could save $200.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 3:02 pm to BulldogXero
quote:
filling nail holes in walls/repainting
This is not something I routinely do when I clean my house. I would consider nails in walls to be damage and if its bad enough to repaint then that would be considered damage as well.
Ill let you have carpet cleaning. We have some apartments, pretty much got rid of carpet for tile because its such a PITA.
Posted on 7/23/17 at 3:03 pm to baldona
quote:
how many wall holes you may have from pictures
Yeah I will def need to read up on this. I had trouble hanging up this one thing on our living room wall, more holes than I would have wanted
I will go through the house before we move out(whenever that is) and patch up all the nail holes though.
Hopefully when the time comes we will get all of our deposit back. This house we are renting is with a property management company so I think that will make a difference. I would say we are ideal tenants though. Rent is automatically deducted from my checking each month(so no late rent) and we only contact the property manager for serious issues. Minor stuff we will just shoot him an email just so it's documented that we notified him of it.
ETA: How much would you deduct for nail holes?
This post was edited on 7/23/17 at 3:09 pm
Posted on 7/23/17 at 3:05 pm to BulldogXero
I had them take a rekeying out of the deposit!
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