Recently, I vacated a unit I was renting in San Diego after giving a 30-day notice. Management offered to inspect the unit with me before I left, which I declined, since I worked graves and slept during the day. While renting, my cat clawed at the carpet, damaging a four inch section by the door.
When I moved, and after the inspection, I received my deposit back less 43.75 for some cleaning. An amount not charged was a mandatory 30-dollar carpet cleaning fee that management said they required, per my contract, for professional cleaning. This cleaning fee was in the lease agreement that I signed.
A couple of weeks after I received the deposit refund, I received a notice from them that they sent me an incorrect closing statement and deposit refund, and that they needed me to remit a check to them for 283.00 to cover my share of carpet replacement, an amount calculated at 94/120 of 361.31 to the useful life expectancy of the carpet.
Since management refunded my deposit, I have had to use the money for expenses associated with my move and livelihood. I do not have the 283.04 immediately available for refund, as I really do live paycheck to paycheck, and with difficulty at that.
`Though not directly related, I am annoyed that this 'error' was likely on purpose, due to my being considered a 'high maintenance' tenant for asking for help with the bugs, and a fridge so soiled and broken I could not store food in it. Additionally, I was charged nominal cleaning amounts, even though I restored the unit to cleanliness far beyond what it was when I moved in.
I acknowledge responsibility for my cat's destruction of the carpet; although I believe it could have been successfully stretched, and relayed. Because it is due to their error, I was unaware I would need to budget for a deposit refund return, and would like them to accept smaller amounts until I can pay it off. Do I have the right to ask management to accept payments for the deposit refund? Are they allowed to recalculate the deposit return once they've signed off on it? I assumed management had accounted for the amounts owed from the initial deposit, which is what leaves me stranded now.
I would appreciate any advice you would be willing to offer.
Many Thanks,
L. Duran
When I moved, and after the inspection, I received my deposit back less 43.75 for some cleaning. An amount not charged was a mandatory 30-dollar carpet cleaning fee that management said they required, per my contract, for professional cleaning. This cleaning fee was in the lease agreement that I signed.
A couple of weeks after I received the deposit refund, I received a notice from them that they sent me an incorrect closing statement and deposit refund, and that they needed me to remit a check to them for 283.00 to cover my share of carpet replacement, an amount calculated at 94/120 of 361.31 to the useful life expectancy of the carpet.
Since management refunded my deposit, I have had to use the money for expenses associated with my move and livelihood. I do not have the 283.04 immediately available for refund, as I really do live paycheck to paycheck, and with difficulty at that.
`Though not directly related, I am annoyed that this 'error' was likely on purpose, due to my being considered a 'high maintenance' tenant for asking for help with the bugs, and a fridge so soiled and broken I could not store food in it. Additionally, I was charged nominal cleaning amounts, even though I restored the unit to cleanliness far beyond what it was when I moved in.
I acknowledge responsibility for my cat's destruction of the carpet; although I believe it could have been successfully stretched, and relayed. Because it is due to their error, I was unaware I would need to budget for a deposit refund return, and would like them to accept smaller amounts until I can pay it off. Do I have the right to ask management to accept payments for the deposit refund? Are they allowed to recalculate the deposit return once they've signed off on it? I assumed management had accounted for the amounts owed from the initial deposit, which is what leaves me stranded now.
I would appreciate any advice you would be willing to offer.
Many Thanks,
L. Duran
