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    Roommates move out of apartment, receive invoice for $10k of renovations 3 months later: 'I don't believe we are responsible'

    All too often, renting comes with hidden costs.

    Being a tenant is a notoriously unpredictable way to live in many places, but plenty of people have no other choice. This is exactly why there are an unfortunate number of landlords who see no issue with finding reasons to stress out the very individuals that keep them in business and find ways to make them spend more money. 

    This isn't to say that the tenant is never liable; sometimes, life happens, and there are certain things that, legally speaking, they are obliged to pay for even if they didn't expect it. However, it is a common practice for this expectation to be taken advantage of in ways that are unfair and unnecessary.

    When you have lived in somebody else's property, it can sometimes feel like you do not have a leg to stand on when they start to make surprise and unwelcome demands. It is important to know your rights and proceed accordingly. When you do not take this stance, it can be all too easy for somebody who does not have your best interests at heart to try to exploit you for everything you have. At its worst, it can almost be pricier than actually buying a house.

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    • a man holds a paintbrush to the corner of two cream colored walls
      via Yunus Tuğ (Unsplash+)

      The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    • A couple and their roommate received a nasty shock recently when the landlord for the apartment they had moved out of several months ago sent them a hefty bill for the renovation of their former home. The invoice came to $10,000, covering things such as complete repainting, replacement of the carpet, and sanding and oiling the kitchen cabinets.

      While the tenants acknowledged that they had left some minor damage to the property when they moved out, they did not believe that this price tag was appropriate, nor should they pay for certain other renovations. They hoped to get some advice on how they should proceed.

    • Landlord charging us $10k to renovate apartment after we moved out.

      Location: California December of last year my wife, roommate and I moved out of our apartment and recently we received an invoice of $10K for repairs and renovations to the apartment.
      via snackynak
    • Me and my room mate had been living there for just over 10 years. Apart from replacing some of the blinds, there had been no work done to the inside of the unit.
      via snackynak
    • We replaced the fridge last year and the washer and dryer a few years back. We had two dogs with us, both required a non- refundable $500 deposit.
      via snackynak
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    • Before moving out we had the place professionally cleaned, and the carpets cleaned as well. There was damage caused by us in some locations, mostly the living room wall had a golf ball sized hole in the drywall from the couch, and the removal of a longboard rack and damaged the drywall as well.
      via snackynak
    • There's other things, like window screens and fixtures that went missing or need to be replaced.
      via snackynak
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    • What they are charging us for includes: Repair of the wall and complete painting of the interior, all walls and door frames and jambs.
      via snackynak
    • a man uses a paint scraper on a cream colored wall
      via Yunus Tuğ (Unsplash+)

      The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    • Sand and oil all the cabinets Replacing all the carpet Replacing all the lights, doors, faucets, and misc fixtures Stove hood Haul away of washer and dryer.
      via snackynak
    • The reason they give is excessive cleaning costs beyond normal wear and tear. I agree that there are things in the invoice that we are responsible for.
      via snackynak
    • However, I don't believe we are responsible for all of it. The unit is old, everything in there is probably dated back before we moved in, original from when the apartment was built in 1989.
      via snackynak
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    • The apartment itself is part of a complex that is two duplexes. The other 3 units have all been renovated in the past 10 years, ours was the only one that wasn't because we lived there way longer than the other tenants that rented the other units.
      via snackynak
    • Most seem to move out in about 2-4 years. It seems to me that these renovations were going to be made regardless and now the landlord is using some of the damages to saddle us with the complete bill.
      via snackynak
    • I was wondering what our options are because I feel like if we push back their response is going to be a lawyer.
      via snackynak
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    • a man takes a hammer to a wall with furniture piled behind him
      via Yunus Tuğ (Unsplash+)

      The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

    • sfffer I don't think it's gonna fly, especially in California. Is he refusing to return you your security deposit?
      via sfffer
    • snackynak Original Poster's Reply The 10k is minus the security deposit, the invoice was $11k
      via snackynak
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    • Asleep-Pin-5664 My non legal advice as a lawyer is just walk away and make them sue you if they even will. If you get in court you're open to a wide range of unpredictability. They also probably need to talk to a lawyer and their lawyer will probably tell them they don't have a case. This is a typical slum lord tactic, but ultimately it's probably not worth your time to fight about. With that being said my understanding is that California is the most pro tenant state in the union so if you want
      via Asleep-Pin-5664
    • snackynak Original Poster's Reply This is what I am leaning toward. I really don't want to interact with them if I don't have to.
      via snackynak
    • Expert-Big1682 Did you take photos of the place after the Professional cleaning?
      via Expert-Big1682
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    • snackynak Original Poster's Reply My roommate was the one who did the walkthrough with the property manger. I'm not sure if they took pictures, I'll have to ask him.
      via snackynak
    • No-Candle-8183 They can't charge for paint or carpet after 10 years in CA. They can charge for the hole in the dry wall. Nolo Press has a great book on CA tenants rights. Highly recommend you pick up a copy. It lays out all allowed charges based on time if tenancy and how to recover deposits.
      via No-Candle-8183
    • justanotherbrick512 You need to send a registered letter demanding the return of your security deposit. Carpet and paint not your responsibility. Neither is refinishing cabinets or replacing doors. The one thing you can't do is ignore it or miss court if it goes that far. They're trying to extort you, don't let them.
      via justanotherbrick512

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