I just moved out of the house I rented for 3 years (just me and my daughter who is 6). I gave a $1250.00 deposit upon moving in ($250.00 was nonrefundable for a pet (13 year old Choc Lab) and $1000.00 was considered a security deposit). I found my landlord a new tenant, which moved in the following week.
Here is my issues:
We agreed that we would split the remaining security deposit in half for the rent in April since I would be moving out on the 15th, which would leave a balance of $500.00 owed to me. Since he owns less than 10 rental units, there was never a move-in inspection (which has in turned screwed me). The house was built before I was born in the late 70's, so it obviously has its issues. When doing the move out inspection, he complained that there were 2 blinds that were brand new when I moved in (which they weren't) and that they would need to be replaced. He also stated that the stove and cabinets were not clean enough (even though I paid a cleaning service to come in and do the "move out" service). I asked that he send me a dollar amount for the blinds and that we would discuss that before he installed them (which he never did). I sent a follow-up email the following day giving him my forwarding address, as well as a link to Home Depot that had these blinds for $24.97 each. I also stated in the email that I would reschedule the cleaning service (since they have a guarantee) and have them come back out to do the cabinets and stove, which they did the following day.
Yesterday, I receive an email that states I owe $126.00 for the blinds and an additional $155.00 for cleaning and he would be sending me the remaining deposit of $214.00 in the mail. He also stated that he was not charging me for other things like nail holes (which I have read is normal wear and tear) and a chip on the stove (which I didn't do). WTF? Since I was willing to work with him originally, I couldn't believe that he still managed to go ahead and buy the most expensive blinds (actually the most expensive blinds for these doors were $52.00 at Home Depot) and install them without talking about it first. I also could not believe that it would cost an additional $155.00 to a house with nothing in it that has been cleaned twice.
Here is my questions:
- Since there is no mention of what the actual "nonrefundable" pet deposit covers, does that mean he just gets to keep that and charge me for this other stuff?
- If I decided to take him to small claims court, is it reasonable to think that what he is charging is excessive?
I have read the Landlord and Tenant laws in Georgia like 3 times and it really doesn't tell me how to resolve these types of issues. I also realize that it is just $500.00, however I am a single mom, I've taken good care of that place, and just on priniple alone I feel like he should be made to pay. I have no problem paying for reasonable things at a reasonable price, but I haven't been given the option to do so. I stay in touch with the current tenant who has stated that everything in the house that she has replaced with her own money (because the place is so old), he refuses to reimburse her and claims that everything was brand new when I moved in, so I must have ruined it.
Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!
Here is my issues:
We agreed that we would split the remaining security deposit in half for the rent in April since I would be moving out on the 15th, which would leave a balance of $500.00 owed to me. Since he owns less than 10 rental units, there was never a move-in inspection (which has in turned screwed me). The house was built before I was born in the late 70's, so it obviously has its issues. When doing the move out inspection, he complained that there were 2 blinds that were brand new when I moved in (which they weren't) and that they would need to be replaced. He also stated that the stove and cabinets were not clean enough (even though I paid a cleaning service to come in and do the "move out" service). I asked that he send me a dollar amount for the blinds and that we would discuss that before he installed them (which he never did). I sent a follow-up email the following day giving him my forwarding address, as well as a link to Home Depot that had these blinds for $24.97 each. I also stated in the email that I would reschedule the cleaning service (since they have a guarantee) and have them come back out to do the cabinets and stove, which they did the following day.
Yesterday, I receive an email that states I owe $126.00 for the blinds and an additional $155.00 for cleaning and he would be sending me the remaining deposit of $214.00 in the mail. He also stated that he was not charging me for other things like nail holes (which I have read is normal wear and tear) and a chip on the stove (which I didn't do). WTF? Since I was willing to work with him originally, I couldn't believe that he still managed to go ahead and buy the most expensive blinds (actually the most expensive blinds for these doors were $52.00 at Home Depot) and install them without talking about it first. I also could not believe that it would cost an additional $155.00 to a house with nothing in it that has been cleaned twice.
Here is my questions:
- Since there is no mention of what the actual "nonrefundable" pet deposit covers, does that mean he just gets to keep that and charge me for this other stuff?
- If I decided to take him to small claims court, is it reasonable to think that what he is charging is excessive?
I have read the Landlord and Tenant laws in Georgia like 3 times and it really doesn't tell me how to resolve these types of issues. I also realize that it is just $500.00, however I am a single mom, I've taken good care of that place, and just on priniple alone I feel like he should be made to pay. I have no problem paying for reasonable things at a reasonable price, but I haven't been given the option to do so. I stay in touch with the current tenant who has stated that everything in the house that she has replaced with her own money (because the place is so old), he refuses to reimburse her and claims that everything was brand new when I moved in, so I must have ruined it.
Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!
