Join our FREE personalized newsletter for news, trends, and insights that matter to everyone in America

Newsletter
New

(washington) Previous Landlord Attempting To Bill Tenants $1400 Post Move Out For Normal Wear And Tear. Next Actions?

Card image cap

Location: Washington State. About four months after moving out of an apartment complex, myself and the tenant with whom I was sharing the apartment received from the landlord via email a tenant ledger totaling $1400 for the replacement of doors, drip pans, toilet seats, a wall stop, a windowsill, and light bulbs. We were also charged for additional cleaning. No photos or invoices were included in the email we received. I replied disputing the charges stating that the items listed represent normal wear and tear. I also attached photos showing the apartment's condition at move-out, proving that we cleaned the unit and nothing was broken. We waited a few weeks and never received a response. Today, the other tenant sent an email asking about at least reducing the charges. He received a response within a few hours stating that no reduction is possible. This time, photos were provided. They show what we believe is normal wear and tear: small amounts of chipped paint on doors, a few left over sticky hangers on doors, dimmed light bulbs, toilet seats and a bath tub with light blemishes, and a windowsill with chipped paint. Also shown are items that have us kind of puzzled: drip pans, a wall stop, and living room carpeting. These photos show nothing wrong-no damage. One last thing to note is that at move-in we paid a $500 non-refundable administrative fee that does not cover costs for additional/heavy cleaning above normal wear and tear. But again, no photos show tenant-caused damage warranting replacement or additional cleaning. We are not sure what to do next. Any advice is appreciated.

submitted by /u/IncreaseLive2614
[link] [comments]