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What is state law in withholding $ to cover expenses for apartment cleaning?
If a tenant hasn't cleaned an apartment in 3+ years being there. Dust all over, mildew in shower and around toilet, floors are dirty as well.
What is considered "normal" and excessive?
I was thinking of withholding $250-$300 for a cleaning? It's a 1500 sq foot apartment 3 beds / 2 bath.
Get an estimate from Merry Maids or similar cleaning services. If you use them you have the invoice to justify what you with held.
Any apt I vacated back in the day, stove, fridge, bathroom was cleaned. Floors vacuumed or mopped and it wasn't a big deal as we did this on a regular basis.
Some people are just disgusting.
Tenants are expected to take reasonable care of the unit. They should also leave the apt. broom clean. Take pictures do document the level of dirt and be sure to send the tenant an itemized list of damages (extra cleaning in this case).
You can search the internet for tenants rights in NJ. Check out the section on security deposits.
Sergio is probably referring to the section of the code that is summed up here:
"The landlord can only charge you for property damage that is more than ordinary wear and tear. Ordinary wear and tear means damage that takes place from the normal, careful use of the property. Examples of normal wear and tear are faded paint on the walls, loose tile in the bathroom, window cracks caused by winter weather, or leaky faucets or radiators. Examples of damages that might not be ordinary wear and tear are large holes in the walls caused by nailing up decorations, cigarette burns on floors, or a broken mirror on the bathroom cabinet.
Landlords cannot charge cleaning fees to tenants who leave their apartments broom clean. Landlords often try to deduct such fees, as well as fees for painting."
So you have to submit something in writing as to why you're keeping part of their deposit if it wasn't broom clean and getting an estimate is probably your best move here instead of making up a number. If I was a tenant I'd probably dispute it unless there was a real estimate and then I'd probably say something like "well it shouldn't cost that much" and wash my hands of it. But don't just keep it and make up a cost.
Interesting. In our Avalon experience, they said that you have to professionally clean your carpets or they will charge you. The fee included the carpet cleaning and the regular cleaning.
In a way, it was nice just to pay the fee and not have to clean at all.
There is a difference between damage (wear and tear & holes in walls) and leaving a rental unit "broom" clean.
The most basic of leases tend to have a clause where the tenant is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the unit during tenancy.
The most basic of leases also tend to have a clause that state said unit should be returned in the condition it was received (other than normal wear and tear).
A tenant doesn't get to not clean a bathroom for 3 years and get away with it.
Last edited by Informed Info; 08-28-2017 at 11:00 PM..
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