Damn. Here we had a nice successful week at the beach. When we arrived at the house we rented, I thought it was not as clean as it was when we rented it the previous year. Some of the dishes still had food on it, a friend stepped on a very sharp earring while barefoot in one of the bedrooms that we didn't wind up using, and there was an ant infestation. We called to report the ants because we didn't want the next family to stay there to have the same welcome party we did. I think that was very considerate of us. Otherwise, I mentioned that the house was a bit dirty, but said it was not a big deal. These things happen. Before we left, we mopped the kitchen floors several times, took out the trash and replaced the garbage bags, wiped down the table, and vacuumed throughly. I felt good about leaving the place in better shape than we found it.
Imagine my surprise when Husband called me this morning to report that they are keeping our security deposit because we left the house in shambles. Supposedly, we moved all the furniture around and left such a huge mess that they had to hire a cleaning service. We left the house at 7 am in spic and span condition. In fact, I cringed thinking about the fact that I would have to repeat the cleaning process in my own apartment this week, and how ironic it is that I clean more on vacation than I do in my daily life. (I hate cleaning.)
We followed the landlord's directions to a T: clean up, then leave the keys in the house, and the doors unlocked. Perhaps between the time we left and the time the next legitimate people arrived, someone else used the house? Is that my fault that the landlords tell us to leave the fucking door open? Why on earth would we rearrange the furniture, of all things? Is it not odd that we left the top floor in perfect condition, but a pig sty on the bottom floor, most accessible to any asshole who felt like wandering in after we left? And we didn't have any problems last year, so why would we suddenly become gross slobs?
I see a bitter dispute coming. In the meantime, I am going to storm off to a meeting.
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I'm sure no one snuck in and had a wild party. They always use dirty as a reason to keep a deposit. Meanwhile, you had to clean before you could use the sty. It's quite frustrating. That's why now I make sure to take photos. Those when I moved in and those how we left the place.
ReplyDeleteSounds like what I go through every time I move. It doesn't matter how clean I leave the place, I've never once gotten my deposit back. And, I get to look forward to that again in a few weeks. Yippee.
ReplyDeleteA week's worth of fun shouldn't be such a hassle.
That photo idea is a good one. That is complete bullshit that we messed up the house. I personally cleaned one of the downstairs bathrooms and it was gross (I try not to think about it) and the top of the toilet tank and toothbrush holders were covered with dust. Dust doesn't build up like that in a week. Those people are just lucky they're not getting a bill from me for a tetanus shot for stepping on that earring. You and hubby spent at least a good hour and a half cleaning.
ReplyDeletethat totally sucks. unfortunately you have not proof. this sounds like the retarded shit that gets on those tv court shows on daytime tv... i like the picture idea and will use it when i move out of here.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks ass. I would strongly dispute it (like, a letter demanding the return of your deposit as it was held under false pretenses, or some legal-sounding shit like that). Maybe get Craig to sign your letter or something. I'd also include info about the time you spent cleaning before you left, the state it was in when you arrived, and the fact that others can attest to both (Alex).
ReplyDeleteSo far, we canceled the check that they were holding as our deposit. (The irony is that since they had no problem with us last year, they never deposited the security check, but were holding onto it just in case.) Husband demanded that they call him back with specifics as to what the problems were; of course, he has heard nothing. Again, we had no issues when we stayed there last year, so this is just a big bummer.
ReplyDeleteThat is craaaazy! That's beyond just dirty. Moving furniture? Holy cow.
ReplyDeleteI have a long standing rule, whenever I go rent a new place I take pictures the day I move in and get them developed at a one hour that day. Then I store them. I have used photos like that on more than one occasion.
ReplyDeleteIn most states, security deposits can not be held for normal wear and tear and in order to keep you deposit they are required to provide you with an itemized list of what they had to pay for and who they paid to do it. If they do not provide these things within a specified period of time, the claim for payment is null. I would start by looking up the civil code for the state where the rental was, it will be listed there. I do that kind of thing for clients on a daily basis, if you need help (pro bono of course) drop me an email.