Moved houses. Ex Property manager says...

WolfeMacleod · 12-10-2013, 10:46 PM

Well, we moved. Took the whole month of November. I spent Thanksgiving cleaning the house top to bottom, from Wednesday to Saturday.

Saw the property manager briefly today. He tried to tell me that I didn't clean the floors. He's going to nit-pick every tiny detail of the house. He turned into a giant duckhole when a complaint was made a few months ago about his non-action regarding ongoing issues with the house. Such as trees that were going to FALL on it.

Anyways, he tried to claim the floors hadn't been cleaned. Or the rest of the house, to his specifications. I spent four solid days cleaning.

Really? Cause I think they have.

He has four more days to invite me to do a move-out walkthrough.
It's a good thing In have a pre-move in video, as well...

GWN7 · 12-10-2013, 11:25 PM

I think it would be priceless when he tries to screw you over and you give him the You tube link. I wonder how long his mouth will hang open.

WolfeMacleod · 12-10-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWN7

I think it would be priceless when he tries to screw you over and you give him the You tube link. I wonder how long his mouth will hang open.

I will. I will also give him this one, which I annotated tonight, to point out pre-existing damages before we moved in. A little blurry in spots because it was a second run. The first shoot didn't work for some reason, and we'd already been there quite a while. The guy I'm with was the showing-agent. He's willing to side with me if it comes to dispute on the condition of the house.

After my last experience with the guy who *****ed because the yard wasn't manicured...

IT WAS WINTER! WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND!

drcoastline · 12-11-2013, 02:06 AM

Good move with the video. Not sure about Washington State law. But in New Jersey a property only needs to be returned in "broom swept" condition. If they refuse to refund the money you win triple damages. Also. When accepting deposits here. The money must be placed in an interest bearing account in your name with in 30 days. They must notify you of the deposit, bank and account number in writing. Lastly, just saying you aint getting your money doesn't work. It must be in writing, the reason and the cost of repair. They must return the balance. If not triple damages.

See if any of this applies to you.

Good luck.

KFC911 · 12-11-2013, 02:32 AM

^^^ this! As a landlord myself, he must be a piece of something... I would not "show my hand", find out the laws in your state as above (they'll be slanted for the tenant), and then silently let him hang himself if he doesn't follow the law to a "T". After the "return period" has expired, THEN is when you play your cards...make 'em pay, and don't just let him get off with returning your deposit as he should be doing without hesitation (from my perspective after seeing the vid). Good luck!

KFC911 · 12-11-2013, 03:02 AM

If Dantilla doesn't see this thread and respond, shoot him a PM. He's a pro at this stuff. He may very well know the law in your state of the top of his head, but after looking him up, his location isn't state specific...

onewhippedpuppy · 12-11-2013, 03:40 AM

There seem to be quite a few landlords who consider deposits as a bonus check. My wife and I rented a duplex when we got married, it was dirty when we moved in but we left it in immaculate condition. She charged us for things as obscure as cleaning between the house windows and storm windows, cleaning the exterior windows, cleaning behind/under the stove, etc. It was very obvious that she was simply making up enough BS to justify keeping our deposit, knowing that we likely wouldn't take the time to sue her in small claims court.

LWJ · 12-11-2013, 03:43 AM

You will do just fine. There are very strong tenant's rights laws. You demonstrated exceptional care -plus, you documented. You will win.

The bad part? You may have to take them to small claims court.

Google Washington Tenant Law or similar. There should be a number of summaries that will point you in the right direction.

Good to stand up that that jerk.

Larry

fastfredracing · 12-11-2013, 03:51 AM

Wow, a tenant who actually DID clean before he moved out!
Our last one swore up and down to me that she would leave it cleaner than when she moved in. So far, we have removed 7 or 8 pickup loads of trash, and that was only the nasty smelly stuff. Next month when we go back to work, we will be renting a roll off dumpster, lifting the carpet, and repainting the place.
You deserve your security deposit back + a few days wages.
We had one other tenant that we had to evict for no pay. There was a lot of tension between us in the end, and I fully expected for him to trash the place. Surprisingly , though, he left it spotless. Shampoo'd the carpets, cleaned the windows, mowed the grass etc... I was surprised.

notfarnow · 12-11-2013, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

There seem to be quite a few landlords who consider deposits as a bonus check.

Absolutely

taking the pre-rental video was a GREAT idea, and one I always suggest when working on a lease.

Also makes sense for sellers, when they are working on a sale of a home. Video any pre-existing scuffs and marks that constitute normal wear and tear BEFORE you move, so the buyer can 't ding you for closing/moving damages. Even better if you can get the buyer to acknowledge the video. Can save a LOT of headache and drama on closing.

stomachmonkey · 12-11-2013, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

There seem to be quite a few landlords who consider deposits as a bonus check.....

Yup, always take pics and or video prior to move in and again on move out.

Also check the lease, it should say specify what level of clean is expected; ie broom clean.

I've always left a rental better than I found it.

Baz · Baz's Garage

It all boils down to a person's character and integrity, doesn't it?

Some have it and some don't - no matter what the situation calls for.

It's how you carry yourself in this world...and it reflects on your parent's upbringing.

Good job Wolfe....good luck!

WolfeMacleod · 12-11-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Wow, a tenant who actually DID clean before he moved out!
Our last one swore up and down to me that she would leave it cleaner than when she moved in. So far, we have removed 7 or 8 pickup loads of trash,

Of course I did! A $3000 deposit is nothing to sneeze at. I've always been very paranoid about getting that deposit back, and very mindful of any damages. The only damages to that place were not caused by us.... there was a towel rack in a bathroom that fell off due to not being screwed into studs. The plastic "retainers" that held the screws in were so old, they'd basically crumbled.
There was a small section of plaster in the kitchen near the back door that had flaked off in a vaguely triangular shape, about three inches long. I used painter's tape to tape around the shape, a razor to trim it exactly, then used spackling paste to fill it in neatly. All they have to do is paint it.
There are two spots of paint near the head of my bed which were worn away at the corners....

There was a small cat issue with the hardwood floor a while back. We (she) spent a lot of money and had it repaired (actually replaced a section) Unless you're really looking, it's unnoticeable.

WolfeMacleod · 12-11-2013, 10:19 AM

By the way, I just re-read the lease. It does state that the tenant must have the floors professionally cleaned.

Tenant also agrees to have the carpets professionally cleaned, at Tenant's expense, upon vacating the premises and a receipt for said professional cleaning shall be provided to Landlord. Rental of a carpet cleaner or use of a personal carpet cleaner by the Tenant shall not be sufficient to meet this obligation. Tenant agrees that if interior of home has been professionally cleaned prior to move in, the same standard for cleanliness will be expected at move out. In the event that Tenant fails to perform the above-described maintenance, then Landlord may declare Tenant to be in default under this Lease Agreement, or, at Landlord's sole discretion, cause such maintenance to be done and charge Tenant the cost of such maintenance.

They never did tell us if the place had been professionally cleaned prior to move in.

I'll also note another complaint he made. This might give you an idea of his nit-picking-ness. There was a lightbulb that was out in the chandelier in the entryway. It's quite high, quite old, and quite delicate. I wasn't about to try it....

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

There's a difference between leaving a place dirty and normal wear and tear. If a tenant has to move after 5 years and the place needs a repaint that to me would be normal wear and tear. And I'm a landlord.

biosurfer1 · 12-11-2013, 11:03 AM

How long were you there? In Cali that effects what the landlord can and cannot charge for. i.e. 3+ years in Cali means the carpets are part of normal wear and tear.

stomachmonkey · 12-11-2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

....There was a lightbulb that was out in the chandelier in the entryway. It's quite high, quite old, and quite delicate. I wasn't about to try it....

Tell him fine, you'll do it.

Ask him to meet you there to confirm.

When he gets there you should be lying on the ground.

Your only words to him should be "hope you have good insurance"

WolfeMacleod · 12-11-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

How long were you there? In Cali that effects what the landlord can and cannot charge for. i.e. 3+ years in Cali means the carpets are part of normal wear and tear.

2.75 years. We started moving in 3/9/11

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Tell him fine, you'll do it.

Ask him to meet you there to confirm.

When he gets there you should be lying on the ground.

Your only words to him should be "hope you have good insurance"

Good one!

KFC911 · 12-11-2013, 11:31 AM

Wolfe, have you researched the law in WA (yet)? If I were in your position, at this stage of the game, I'd be giving him plenty of rope (i.e. I would NOT change the bulb, etc.....normal wear and tear, and trivial) nor would I cross over to "fraud" (even though it sounds good). Particularly if the law allows for triple damages (if he doesn't comply), simply let him do his thing and then hit him where it hurt$ (legally) after the "return deposit period" is OVER. Seriously....think about it! Best of luck!!!

WolfeMacleod · 12-11-2013, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Wolfe, have you researched the law in WA (yet)? If I were in your position, at this stage of the game, I'd be giving him plenty of rope (i.e. I would NOT change the bulb, etc.....normal wear and tear, and trivial) nor would I cross over to "fraud" (even though it sounds good). Particularly if the law allows for triple damages (if he doesn't comply), simply let him do his thing and then hit him where it hurt$ (legally) after the "return deposit period" is OVER. Seriously....think about it! Best of luck!!!

I have. I'm somewhat familiar with it after dealing with several craplords.

BTW, if anyone is interested, when it comes to the yard and it's overgrowth, check this out... see the street view? That little brown speck of house was ours.

https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=off&ie=UTF-8&layer=c&z=17&iwloc=A&sll=47.766413,-122.283924&cbp=13,117.6,0,0,0&cbll=47.766586,-122.284417&q=18944+40th+pl+ne,+lake+forest+park,+wa&ei=GOCoUsTjBZK2kQfJ9oHQCA&ved=0CC8QxB0wAA

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