Security deposit Washington State (apartment, renters, tenant)

[tryeen]

We just moved from an apartment. We shampooed the carpets, no stains, looked better then when we moved in. Get a bill stating they are replacing the whole carpet. So we called them. They tell us there are stains. We tell them no there isn't. We have pictures to prove it. Then all of a sudden we are told, when we lifted the carpet there were a couple stains underneath. We are like what?? So you ripped up the carpet to see if we had stains? They now are telling us they can't do anything about the cost because it has gone to their main company. They will send us a bill and we deal with them. Has anyone heard of such a thing?

[StealthRabbit]

#1 Did you have a pet?

if so... Legally (by notifying LL)

or illegally... by NOT notifying LL or paying a special non-refundable Damage Deposit? (or by calling it a ESA)

Deposits for renters should be about $10,000 and for renters with pets about $40,000 (just in case.. because it may cost you that much (and 3 - 6 months out the market) to get the joint re-rentable_)

Seems perfectly reasonable to lift the carpet (pets or no pets) ... to determine if it is a healthy place for the next tenant who may sue the owner if it is not.

Might want to insist on taking pics of the lifted carpets in your next place BEFORE you move in.

Remember... the owner is into this place $200K + and has a boat load of responsibility and liability. Couple million $ claims are not so unusual. Yeah, fun.

[notnamed]

Yep, blacklight inspections are common too.

You're at a major disadvantage when you didn't perform a pull up or black light inspection on the move-in condition sheet...because who thinks of doing that? But if it's being done at check out it should be done at check-in. Can't imagine a property manager letting you pull up the carpet though.