An update on my ex-property management - deposit return

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

krikey WM, how much was your deposit? $3K?
I guess I'm a bit out of touch, haven't rented a house since (say it ain't so, Joe) 40 years ago.
Jim

$3300.

Originally Posted by javadog

If the condition after you cleaned the place was unnacceptable to the landlord, and he had the place cleaned, you would expect to see a significant difference in the photos. You don't.

Either the invoice is a scam, or the "cleaning" was a scam. Either way, you show those pictures to a judge and he's going to be real amused.

The "wear and tear" is laughable. The charges are not realistic. He's in violation of the terms of the lease.

I say quit screwing around with them. File a lawsuit and go after every dime that the law allows.

JR

Exactly why the R.E agent and I went back over there after the house was put back up for rent. I may not have mentioned it before, but we were told to move because the owners wanted to move back into the house... I knew something was fishy, though.

Here's another example of nothing being touched...not the positioning of the phone cord. Think they did anything to those shelves?

My picture:


Bob's picture

[TCracingCA]

In some states, you can base the move-out statement or disposition on estimates! But there is a requirement usually to denote that! And you better not end up spending less or being charged less than you estimated and holding money that should have rightfully went back to the tenant!!!! The smart thing in that instance is to make sure you are charged by your Vendor exactly what the estimate was, or higher!!

The Law recognizes this because the time frame to return a deposit is short, and sometimes the work is still in process and the invoicing hasn't been generated by the Vendor and back to the Ownership or Landlord or Management! Also sometimes you can have work scheduled, but you have to wait on the vendor to have an opening for the job, but the Deposit has to be settled!!!! Don't know if this applies, because naturally we don't have the entire story.

I love tenant want-a-be Lawyers. Just know what you are doing if you take it to Court!

Also some areas of the Country require Just Cause and some parts you can just end the month-to-month Rental agreement with no reason necessary! If the Owner re-rents without doing the work then that would be telling. But from the pictures, the place still looks vacant!

Why don't you just re-apply to rent the same unit!!!!!!! That would be an advanced move!!!!!!!

[john70t]

I'm a Mich LL with bills to pay.
I once took tenants to court, twice, for non-payment.
In retrospect I should have kicked them out first thing with a 7-day notice by Officer/Sherrif.

But that is B.S.
Some legal reading for your enjoyment:
WashingtonLawHelp.org | A guide to free and low-cost legal aid, assistance and services in Washington
Know Your Rights - Tenants Union of Washington State

[john70t]

14 days for return of security deposit or explanation.
Some states give 3X back in 'compensation'.

[Dantilla]

Wolfe, sorry for not keeping up with your saga. Haven't been on Pelican much lately.

You are clearly in the right, but at some point, you have to consider if it's worth the hassle to keep persuing yesterday's money, since there is no guarenteed outcome. While I want to see you go get this slumlord in a bad way, I've also learned that 99% of the time, I'm better off chasing tomorrow's money than yesterday's.

You have a business to run. Are you better off down the road if you take time away from your business and collect a few more bucks, or are you better off to put your efforts into a successful business?

-or-

Is persuing this going to take so much time that business suffers?

...Only you can answer.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Painting and new carpet are usually done for every new tenant.

I call BS. I'm a generous landlord and could never afford to do this.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by motion

I call BS. I'm a generous landlord and could never afford to do this.

I am a flooring contractor. My wife paints and I redo all the carpets.