Comments on: I May Take My Landlord to Court

By: Picky10266

Picky10266 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:14:21 +0000

My husband and I lived in a large apartment complex that is part of a very large, multi-state chain for 1 year. We gave our 30 days notice and we were moved out a day early of our lease termination. My entire family had come down to help us move and three of us girls were in charge of cleaning the apartment. We had vacuumed the entire place, scrubbed every surface (minus appliances) and had cleaned the walls and window sills. Since we had so much to move we left the major appliances to be cleaned by the landlord. There were a couple scuffs on the walls but nothing that a small touch-up couldn't cover.

We had moved two counties over and it wasn't until 30 days had passed that I realized we hadn't received our deposit yet. I called the 800# for the apartment and was told that they would cancel and reissue the check. I also requested that they email me the summary so I could review the deductions. They had kept $362 of my $500 deposit for cleaning and $48 to pay the last two water/sewer bills.

I requested receipts and 45 days later I received them by email. I still have received nothing by mail and the landlord is unwilling to negotiate my cleaning fees. They cut my painting charges in half but have still not given me proper documentation for the cost of paint. We have requested the full refund of our deposit several times in accordance with California law and they have refused every single time.

It has now been 92 days since we moved out and all I have is a headache. We will be taking them to small claims court as soon as I can get a solid case together.

By: Carpet Cleaning Hollywood

Carpet Cleaning Hollywood — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:45:58 +0000

I am impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I come across a blog that is both informative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.

By: Manuel

Manuel — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:46:44 +0000

I got 725.00 deducted, from my 850.00 deposit. I asked for an inspection, and was told he doesn't do walk through, because of challenging people like me. Well, he's been served. Now, I build my case.

By: ddavid

ddavid — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:32:57 +0000

“……..if they charge each resident $50 for carpet cleaning upon move out, they’re making a nice little profit.”

Since when does an expense become a profit ? The profit is ZERO if the cost of carpet cleaning is $50. The Landlord may not charge more than the actual cost. Running an Rental is no different from any other business, if the costs are not recoverable from the person who caused it, then everyone else in the complex pays in the form of higher rents. Aside from that carpet cleaning falls under “cleaning” which is allowed; carpet replacement falls under “normal wear & tear.”

By: J

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:13:25 +0000

I think any amount–even just $25–if the landlord is legally in the wrong, is worth a trip to Small Claims Court to teach them a lesson and help prevent them from doing it to others in the future. Think about it, in a complex of 500 apts, if they charge each resident $50 for carpet cleaning upon move out, they’re making a nice little profit. I never even knew prior to this year that routinely charging residents for cleaning (not just above normal wear and tear) was illegal. Currently awaiting my deposit refund from my last place right now. Wish me luck!

By: Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:33:30 +0000

Hi, Garifo,

A few days before we were going to court, she called wanting to settle. So we split the difference. I think I could have won in court, but in the end I was relieved to get it over with.

Hope that helps. Thanks for asking!

By: garifo

garifo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:58:36 +0000

Cindy:
can you give us an update on your case? did you go to court? if so how did it go?

thanks,

garifo

By: How My Landlord Court Case Ended | Redfin Los Angeles Sweet Digs

How My Landlord Court Case Ended | Redfin Los Angeles Sweet Digs — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:27:55 +0000

[...] posted on the blog, wanting to know the outcome of my small-claims lawsuit against my landlord that I blogged about a couple of months [...]

By: traci

traci — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:02:58 +0000

hey cindy, please update us on your case… have you gone to trial yet? i really want to know if touch up paint is normal wear and tear. thanks.

By: Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:41:43 +0000

Thanks, Henry. Yes, I already have filed a small claim under the assumption that she will not pay me. You can file online; very convenient. I have to wait now until I find out whether they accept the case. Once they do, I can hire a process server and get this going.

I really just want my money. If she wanted to settle, I’d be all for it. But I understand where you’re coming from completely.