security deposit deduction question (lease, tenants, rental, refundable)

[Teebyrd86]

I moved out of my rental about 3 weeks ago. My landlord mailed me my deposit today. Here are her deductions:

Damage/Cleaning: $250.00
Pet Deposit: $100.00
Total deductions $350.00

First off.. I did agree to have the place professionally cleaned even though it was not done when I moved in but I felt she was pretty decent to me and I had a lot going on so I felt like letting her hire a crew was fair so I can live with the $250.00 even though I think it is a bit steep and I did clean up before I left and left it like I got it. BUT I previously paid her an extra $100.00 for my pet when I first signed the lease and it is in my original lease.. It says total deposit: $1250.00 but in reality It is $1350... so it seems she may have forgotten about that? And she agreed in writing (I Have emails) that she would prorate my rent for the days I moved out early (I paid her 2 weeks of prorated rent) Moved out on the 7th lease up on the 11th to better suit the new tenants schedule. So I am looking for about $140 back..

Any thoughts?

[CarlitosBala]

So you got a $1,000 back??

I think a deduction of $350 is rather small. Without pictures showing before AND after, there is not much you can do.

Chalk it up to a $350 lesson to remind you to ALWAYS take BEFORE and AFTER pictures of your next rental.

[Teebyrd86]

Originally Posted by CarlitosBala

So you got a $1,000 back??

I think a deduction of $350 is rather small. Without pictures showing before AND after, there is not much you can do.

Chalk it up to a $350 lesson to remind you to ALWAYS take BEFORE and AFTER pictures of your next rental.

I have pictures of before and after.. And Thankfully I am a homeowner now so no more rentals for a while at least! I got $900 back.. She only has $1250 down as my depsot but I gave her $1350 as stated in the lease..I just feel a bit jipped.

[AdotAllen]

Always, always always get it in writing. When I first moved into my last rental, I rounded up the deposit, we both noted on the lease the change & initialed it.

[KonaKat]

Where is your receipt for the extra $100 deposit?

[wireyourworld]

Send her a letter back questioning the charges, do not cash the check. Once you do you have fully accepted the charges. Reiterate what you wrote here, respectfully. DO you have a receipt for the pet deposit? Perhaps the charge is for damage over and above the deposit. It's not a very detailed list. Ask what the damage is?

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by wireyourworld

Send her a letter back questioning the charges ...

It seems logical to simply communicate with your landlady and ask ...

[Kim in FL]

Originally Posted by KonaKat

Where is your receipt for the extra $100 deposit?

Exaclty. No receipt, no deposit.

[fraydnerv]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

She only has $1250 down as my depsot but I gave her $1350 as stated in the lease..I just feel a bit jipped.

Just noting -- according to OP the lease does state the deposit as being $1350, not $1250 as the LL indicated on her accounting. If this is true, does it state $1250 plus $100 pet deposit? If so, then I would say she is correct, she is being shorted on her deposit. Personally, I would not make a big deal over the $100, but just in principle, I would contact the LL and question it.

[Lacerta]

I agree. Landlords are human beings. Human beings make mistakes. Contact her and just politely ask the two questions.

1. The total deposit is incorrectly listed as $1250 when the lease says $1350. The extra $100 may be nonrefundable for the pet, but this way, it was subtracted twice (unless the pet did $100 worth of damage on top of a $100 non refundable fee)

2. You have written communication that some prorated rent would be given back because you vacated early to accomodate a new tenant's schedule.

If I were your landlord, and these items were POLITELY brought to my attention, I would be more than happy to remedy the problem.