Person subleasing my apartment is messy and I can't rent out the apartment (lease, tenant)

[anonymous1216]

I sublet my apartment for three months. The woman said she put all her stuff in storage...because I have my stuff there and that's that. I agreed to extend the lease for another month for her.In that time, she dragged my bed out into the living room and jammed the bedroom full of junk--piled high! There are also boxes all throughout the living room and kitchen. It's a mess! She's completely clueless. I had no idea the extent until I showed up and saw this... Do I have any recourse at all? The potential renters are just...they are not interested.
The landlord knows I'm subletting...but she pays me and then I pay him.
I can't afford to lose a month to clean the place and rent it out the following month. Also, can I wait a week before I return her security deposit? I want to make sure the place is in tip top shape and nothing's missing.

[virgode]

The rule of thumb in the rental business is never show a unit until
its move-in ready. Showing a unit in the condition you speaking
about is shooting yourself in the foot.

You could speak with the tenant, let them know you've been unable to
rent because of the mess, there not much else you can do.

[pitt_transplant]

Why not tell her to clean it up?

[anonymous1216]

Yes, I told her to clean up... and she threatened me. She's a horrible person..and a liar. I rented a furnished apartment to her. In my lease it says that you can move furniture without notifying the landlord. This applies to her and I'm the landlord. Can this pertain to furniture not bolted down? It was advertised as a furnished apartment. Then I told her after she moved out, I'd have 21 days to return her deposit (because I don't trust her), and she proceeded to threaten me. "I want it on the last day of the month." She's a horrible person. Who knew? But the law says I have time to return it to her, correct?

[virgode]

Yes, how much time depends on state, Check the Landlord Tenants code.

[AlexTx]

Originally Posted by anonymous1216

But the law says I have time to return it to her, correct?

The time frame varies state to state, but it's true that you don't have to give it to her the day she moves out. Look up the law in your state. You usually have something like 21 days to give the tenant a list of what expenses you are deducting from the deposit (if any) and return the rest of the money.

She may ask you to walk the apartment with her the day she moves out to notify her of what damages you find, but you can then get estimates on fixing the damages, etc before you figure out how much to deduct from the deposit.

[tworent]

Originally Posted by virgode

The rule of thumb in the rental business is never show a unit until
its move-in ready. Showing a unit in the condition you speaking
about is shooting yourself in the foot.

You could speak with the tenant, let them know you've been unable to
rent because of the mess, there not much else you can do.

100% agree never show untill ready

[anonymous1216]

Sorry-- CAN'T MOVE FURNITURE.

[anonymous1216]

In an ideal world, yes, don't show until 100% ready, but I'm not a landlord or a real estate agent and I can't afford to swallow a month's rent. Luckily, today I found someone who's great...someone who saw the apartment before she piled the place high....

Thanks everyone.

[virgode]

Some other things to think about are the moveout inspection.
Its important to make the offer, do the inspection with their presence.
Deduct cleaning, moving furniture, if your unable to lift you can hire some
one to assist and deuct from the security deposit, carpet shampooing and
any repair for damages. Take pictures!! If you have a movie camera, better yet.

Make sure you give them their itemized statement of charges.
Receipts for proof of deductions with remaining deposit.

Next time she wants to talk Security Deposit money, make certain to let
her know about deductions, that might get her arse moving.