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We moved out of a rental until in NC. We received a letter from the landlord stating that we owed him money because he had to power wash the outside of the house. Mow the lawn, ( which was done a few days prior to me moving out. I have a letter from the neighbor stating that ) We moved out in early April. We owed money because he had to have the hedges cut. Is this items that we have to pay for?? And because he had to have the house cleaned.
I can't seem to find any information on the internet about this.
If it was in your contract that you were responsible for the maintenance of the home, which it sounds like you were if you were mowing the lawn, then yes, you have to pay for these items. Power washing, mowing and trimming the hedges are common maintenance items. Cleaning is a common expense that tenants will often get charged for. The unit must be returned in move in condition, most people assume that's on the landlord, but in reality, it's up to the tenant.
Do you have photos of the home when you moved out showing the cleanliness and the newly trimmed yard? If not, I'm sorry to say you're likely out of luck.
Generally you will find your vacating responsibilities included in the lease and therefore you must abide by the lease. However, many LL's will try to scam vacating tenants and it is important to take photos/videos prior to moving in and moving out. Many LL's assume that a tenant who has relocated to a distant area or is very busy will a job will not protest. If you can prove the condition of the home prior to moving in and out and you complied with the lease I urge you to take legal action. In one case for myself a LL falsely kept my SD and I had moved a great distance preventing me from any practical action. I turned the matter over to a local attorney authorizing him to receive and keep any money recovered. I didn't get a dime back but he the LL was put through legal hell.
To all renters; do not trust a landlord, owner or manager, no matter how honest and kind they appear at move in for they will revert to Satan's own when you move. Get photos/video at move in and let the LL know you have photos at move out. Also invite the LL to inspect the property while you are still there to correct any issues. (You will find most will refuse). Read your lease especially the move-out requirements. Finally, the security deposit as become the coveted trophy that almost any LL will perjure themselves to get. Landlord/tenant acts favor landlords on the issue of security deposits. The fact is that after people move returning to the area for legal actions is not practical. Therefore the security deposit should be held in true escrow and the LL must prove damages to collect on it and not the other way around. As tenants we must urge our political leaders for change.
Generally you will find your vacating responsibilities included in the lease and therefore you must abide by the lease. However, many LL's will try to scam vacating tenants and it is important to take photos/videos prior to moving in and moving out. Many LL's assume that a tenant who has relocated to a distant area or is very busy will a job will not protest. If you can prove the condition of the home prior to moving in and out and you complied with the lease I urge you to take legal action. In one case for myself a LL falsely kept my SD and I had moved a great distance preventing me from any practical action. I turned the matter over to a local attorney authorizing him to receive and keep any money recovered. I didn't get a dime back but he the LL was put through legal hell.
To all renters; do not trust a landlord, owner or manager, no matter how honest and kind they appear at move in for they will revert to Satan's own when you move. Get photos/video at move in and let the LL know you have photos at move out. Also invite the LL to inspect the property while you are still there to correct any issues. (You will find most will refuse). Read your lease especially the move-out requirements. Finally, the security deposit as become the coveted trophy that almost any LL will perjure themselves to get. Landlord/tenant acts favor landlords on the issue of security deposits. The fact is that after people move returning to the area for legal actions is not practical. Therefore the security deposit should be held in true escrow and the LL must prove damages to collect on it and not the other way around. As tenants we must urge our political leaders for change.
Your anti-landlord poasts are getting old on this forum. I'm sorry it appears you've had bad experiences, however, being educated and experienced in the industry for many years now, I can assure you that your situation is the exception and the vast majority of landlords are honest and trustworthy. Of course there are ways the tenant needs to protect them themselves, like taking photos, completing move in/out inspections and reading their lease properly, but it's just like any other business relationship. I'm sure there are other professionals, doctors, lawyers, etc. that try to scam their clients. It's just the nature of the game, but fortunately, for all things, it's the exception rather than the rule.
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