Apartment cleaning fee fraud? (Flagstaff: apartment complex, lease, appliances)

[anthxnycamachx]

I recently moved into Table Rock apartments in Flagstaff, AZ and upon moving in I was absolutely shocked at how poorly maintained my apartment unit was at move in. the carpets were dirty and unwashed, doors are broken and cracked, blinds were missing, the walls are painted over with the wrong paint and now the walls look spotty and half of the wall is glossy and the other half is matte, the unit overall was completely dirty and uncleaned. the laundry room was black with dust and grime. the bathroom was incredibly dirty and there was dried urine on the toilet seat when I moved in and the tub is breaking off from the wall and needs to be resealed.
What was more surprising was the fact that posted to the fridge was a check-list/bill which mentioned the previous tenants had been charged $200 for a cleaning fee
How is it that my apartment charged $200 for cleaning and then did not clean an inch of my apartment? The same thing goes for my neighbors' unit.
I want to know if there is some way to hold my apartment complex liable for this because this has to be some form of fraud, charging people hundreds of dollars to perform a service and then not going through with said service.
Has anyone ever been through or seen something similar to this?

[Adamson865]

Most of what you mention is poor maintenance. That's different from cleaning. Cleaning a door won't make it unbroken or uncracked, or change the type of paint on a wall.

You didn't bring this up before you took possession of the apartment? You're a bit too late now, and screaming "fraud" five seconds after you move in won't endear you to your landlords in any way.

[PhureeKeeper]

Didn't you preview the apartment before you moved in?

I'm in a house now, but every apartment I'd ever lived in I did a move-in inspection prior to moving in. If the blinds were missing or tub was breaking off from the wall it would have been noted and a maintenance ticket created.

[Bummer]

I agree with PhureeKeeper . . .

By the way . . . I would strongly recommend you take pictures to document the "move in condition" just in case the Property Manager attempts to hold you financial responsible in the future.

[rational1]

The poor condition of the apartment is your problem.

Charges to the previous tenant are not.

Document carefully before you move in so you don't get charged when you leave.

[PhureeKeeper]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I agree with PhureeKeeper . . .

By the way . . . I would strongly recommend you take pictures to document the "move in condition" just in case the Property Manager attempts to hold you financial responsible in the future.

Good point Bummer. I missed that nugget!

[anthxnycamachx]

so the way it works here is that you only get to see the "model" unit before you move in not the actual unit you are renting so there was no way of seeing these damages before move-in. I understand many of the things were simply poor conditions but the apartment itself was also very dirty such as uncleaned tub and toilet (toilet had dry urine on it at move in as mentioned) the carpets were black and dirty with trash all over, the laundry room was full of old grime and dirt that was built up in a thick layer, appliances were also dirty and uncleaned etc (all of which were likely charged under cleaning to previous renters).The unit next to mine also had the same experience. none of this or the damage could be inspected by myself or roommates because we only get to see our actual unit once we have the keys which are given to us once the lease starts

[meo92953]

ONCE, and only once, did I rent an apartment where you looked at the 'model' unit, which, of course, was very nice.

The one they gave me, the guy before had a going away party and the place was trashed. Huge hole in the wall, stove was broken, etc. They acted like it wasn't their problem. I was young and dumb and had no idea what to do so I immediately gave notice and vacated after the month was up.

Ah, if I knew then what I know now.

[tumamoc]

Originally Posted by meo92953

ONCE, and only once, did I rent an apartment where you looked at the 'model' unit, which, of course, was very nice.

The one they gave me, the guy before had a going away party and the place was trashed. Huge hole in the wall, stove was broken, etc. They acted like it wasn't their problem. I was young and dumb and had no idea what to do so I immediately gave notice and vacated after the month was up.

Ah, if I knew then what I know now.

Do you mean, you stayed the month because you were young and dumb, rather than bringing the issue up with management immediately? When you moved out at one month, were you on the hook for the previous tenant's mess and damages?

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by anthxnycamachx

so the way it works here is that you only get to see the "model" unit before you move in not the actual unit you are renting so there was no way of seeing these damages before move-in. I understand many of the things were simply poor conditions but the apartment itself was also very dirty such as uncleaned tub and toilet (toilet had dry urine on it at move in as mentioned) the carpets were black and dirty with trash all over, the laundry room was full of old grime and dirt that was built up in a thick layer, appliances were also dirty and uncleaned etc (all of which were likely charged under cleaning to previous renters).The unit next to mine also had the same experience. none of this or the damage could be inspected by myself or roommates because we only get to see our actual unit once we have the keys which are given to us once the lease starts

I am sorry for your situation. I would say you have learned a valuable lesson. I would notify mgmt immediately and/or move right out. At least take thorough pictures of the condition your apt was in upon move-in.

The lesson being, NEVER rent like that again. If they say that you can only see the model unit and not the unit you're actually going to occupy. DO NOT RENT there.