Question for income property owners
 

I terminated the lease on the apt. that I had for about a year. I just got my deposit refund and see they have charged me a "move out cleaning fee" a "move out painting fee" and a "move out carpet cleaning fee"! Is this normal or is this just a way of getting the Tennant to pay to clean and paint the vacated apt?

You think that's bad?

One of my staff moved.

His wife dropped off the keys 3 days before the lease expired so he would not have to drive back later and do it.

He got charged a fee for moving out early.

Check the lease. I had to pay $300 upfront for cleaning for when I vacate. I didn't like it, but that should make it harder to keep part of my deposit when we leave.

The only way to beat that is to have a move out inspection the day you turn over the keys. If it doesn't need painting, cleaning or carpets cleaned, you should be able to get your money. The best way is to have an independent person there to witness the inspection. You will then have someone to verify your position in the matter in small claims court.

To answer your question directly, yes, landlords and especially property management companies will typically charge you. They keep everything beyond their actual costs. It's part of how these dickweeds make money.

Here in BC, Canada the courts err on the side of the tenant. The landlord must've conducted an inspection at move in or no damage deposit can be retained. The landlord must disclose up front if there are fees such as you were charged, or no can do.

Check your lease, if there was no provision for such fees and you left the place clean; go after them, imo, fwiw.

Good luck.

Read the lease.