Security Deposits: Excessive Deductions from Security Deposit

mercredi 25 mars 2015

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California



I moved out on February 28th and we had a walk-out inspection with the property manager on March 1st. He said the exhaust fan of the 2 bathrooms needed to be cleaned a little, and the top of the refrigerator as well, but he said they might replace it, in which case there was no need to clean that. He took a pic of the exhaust fans and top of refrigerator and said that minor cleaning, and the carpet cleaning (which we had arranged they would do after I moved out) was going to be the only deduction. I had had the carpets cleaned 6 months before I moved out by a company they recommended, which only charged $45. Before I moved I reminded them of that (I sent them the receipt for those $45). I got the security deposit check yesterday and they deducted $400! The deductions were 9 hours of house cleaning (cabinets, bathrooms, etc.). Fortunately I took some pics of that, but obviously I didn't take pics of every single cabinet! They also charged for moving the refrigerator and stove to clean. For the carpet cleaning, they charged me more than twice as much. They called their friend to do the job. The receipt they sent was dated March 20th, but I saw them cleaning the carpets today, March 24th. I'm sure they haven't even cleaned the place either and they just made up a receipt.



I emailed them saying that I didn't agree with the deductions and they asked me to name the items/charges I disagreed with. I didn't mention the fact that the carpet cleaning receipt was dated March 20th and they did the job today because I noted that after I emailed them. I told them that deducting $200 was more than fair. I'm waiting for their reply.



Should I take them to small claims court if they don't agree on those $200 that I'm claiming? Isn't it fraud to present a receipt dated on a certain date before having the work done? Should I mention that to them?



Thanks for the advice!





Security Deposits: Excessive Deductions from Security Deposit

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