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by rhexs 3362 days ago
This is easy to get around. Take pictures of the apartment at move-in. Read the lease to discover standard cleaning fees before signing. Take care of the apartment. Walk through the apartment with the Landlord on move-out.

If they fraudulently deduct as part of some sort of profit-center, discover the wonderful world of small claims court. Not going to be fun but you'll win.
3 comments
jessaustin 3362 days ago
Haha this seems like maybe you haven't rented many places. My brother used to talk like this, but on his last move-out he got totally shafted. He and his wife had meticulously scrubbed every surface, then they hired a cleaning company, and they still got none of their deposit back.

The "easy" solution to this, although it does have some drawbacks, is simply not to pay the last month's rent.

The only time I haven't gotten screwed over by a landlord is when we knew each other through our university alumni association.

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rhexs 3361 days ago
Rented plenty of places. Read my comment again. You seem to have ignored critical parts of it. Yes, if your landlord takes your deposit and do nothing except complain on hackernews they obviously aren't going to write you a check out of the goodness of their hearts.

Not paying the last months rent seems like an absolutely terrible idea (depends on local state laws I suppose, but please consult with a local renter advocate association or lawyer before trying this) and the exact sort of advice that will lead you into handing over gobs of cash to your landlord for absolutely no good reason then writing anecdotes about it till the end of time.

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kodt 3362 days ago
Yeah, note everything, preferably with the landlord on a walk through when you first get the place. Write down any flaws/damage and have both of you sign/date it. Keep this for when you move out.

Also, it may depend on your State or local municipality, but usually they can't deduct normal wear and tear from your security deposit. Stuff like nails or anchors in the walls, faded paint, worn carpet, scuffed floors, broken appliances because of mechanical wear not negligence or improper use.

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lawnchair_larry 3361 days ago
That is not easy. It's possible to avoid, not easy. As soon as small claims is involved, there is already considerable hassle.
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