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I am about to move out of a rented house after living there for 5 years.
During that time the landlord has done basically nothing towards the maintenance of the house. The only time that any work was done was when something broke completely (Roof broken after hail storm, AC unit broke [In Texas and needed], fence collapsed in storm [Not even fixed, just propped back up], etc etc).
My main concern is that the guy is going to nickel and dime me to death over every little thing wrong with the house (FYI the house was far from pristine when we moved in). I mean don't get me wrong, I will probably owe on a few small items after 5 years, but 99% of it is wear and tear.
What are everyone's thoughts with this? If the guy is going be a hard a** about it, is there much I can do outside of plead wear and tear?
To add to this, I'm not interested in pursuing legal action. I'm moving 250 miles away and just want to be done with it. I'd be completely happy with just losing my deposit, $1,450, or even better with getting some of it back.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Addition - The only damages outside of normal wear and tear are a few carpet stains (Dogs) and some damage to two wooden door frames (Once again my furry friends chewing things when they were pups 5 years ago).
Last edited by jordanb71; 03-11-2014 at 08:20 PM..
Reason: Adding on what we've damaged
What things have you damaged beyond normal wear and tear?
The only damages outside of normal wear and tear are a few carpet stains (Dogs) and some damage to two wooden door frames (Once again my furry friends chewing things when they were pups 5 years ago).
I suggest you get an estimate from a carpenter for repair of the doorframes and then get the carpets professionally cleaned. Tell the landlord about the doorframes and offer to have them repaired or have the cost of the repair taken from your deposit.
I suggest you get an estimate from a carpenter for repair of the doorframes and then get the carpets professionally cleaned. Tell the landlord about the doorframes and offer to have them repaired or have the cost of the repair taken from your deposit.
From the outside looking in, I'd agree with you 100%. My hang up is that my landlord was never an I'll call a carpenter kind of guy. He was more of a find a day laborer and get it fixed for as cheap as possible kind of guy.
As a result, I don't feel obligated to go above and beyond what he always did. I really want to be the bigger person here but want things to be fair. Does that make sense?
From the outside looking in, I'd agree with you 100%. My hang up is that my landlord was never an I'll call a carpenter kind of guy. He was more of a find a day laborer and get it fixed for as cheap as possible kind of guy.
As a result, I don't feel obligated to go above and beyond what he always did. I really want to be the bigger person here but want things to be fair. Does that make sense?
That doesnt make sense at all. For example, I have duct tape on the front bumper of my car, it holds together a small tear from hitting an ice pile.
If you rear-end me, you are paying for my repairs in full, not handing me a new roll of duct tape. You broke it, you bought it. Its not that hard.
Last edited by CarlitosBala; 03-11-2014 at 09:00 PM..
This guy might like to use day laborers, but you can bet your tail he will charge you as much as he can get away with. Get someone in there to replace the trim and clean the carpet. If he fails to return your deposit or send an itemized list of deductions within the legal amount of time, you can then tell him you will file a lawsuit for the return of your deposit and legal fees. You might not even have to be there for a hearing if you have an attorney representing you.
Since I didn't see where anyone mentioned taking pre-move/ post-move out pictures, did you take any? It might be too late of course to mention it, but usually date stamped pics on the day of move in are like gold if the landlord starts trying to back out of giving your deposit back due to imaginary damages which might have been there originally. In most apartments I've rented I've taken pics all but once, and only had to present them once over a cracked window concern.
Regardless of how he gets the work done, you said it was pristine when you moved it. He'll probably want new carpet if the stains can't be removed and repaint the walls if they are marred up. Have you degreased the kitchen? I don't know about Texas law, buy you can be on the hook for more than just your deposit amount. Request an inspection sooner so you have time to remedy any issues.
Regardless of how he gets the work done, you said it was pristine when you moved it. He'll probably want new carpet if the stains can't be removed and repaint the walls if they are marred up. Have you degreased the kitchen? I don't know about Texas law, buy you can be on the hook for more than just your deposit amount. Request an inspection sooner so you have time to remedy any issues.
The OP said it was "far from pristine'" which sounds like our situation. In fact our rental was disgusting with a minimum of repairs being made over the years. Grease filled kitchen, appliances nasty and at the end of their lives, holes in the roof, HVAC problems, etc. I can't wait to get out of here and buy our own place. When we moved in, I documented everything. Every darned scratch I could find. Took me hours going thru the house but I don't want to be on the hook for things we didn't do.
I would get the carpets cleaned and get someone on to fix the woodwork. It is amazing what a really good carpet cleaner can do. They removed all of our pet stains from our previous home with 15 year old carpets. Only things that didn't come up were Popsicle stains where my son hid a Popsicle under a table...duh. Bright orange. When we sold the house, carpets looked almost new.
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