What is the name of your state? NH
I am moving out soon. Due to the billing schedule for heat (if no bills come and money is owed about 94% of my deposit will be deducted and not billed separately as LL does not do things that way) I am looking at getting maybe 6%.
It is an older building and I am going to clean the fridge, stove, cabinets, windows, draws, walls, ceiling, bathroom, kitchen, and the such. I am only going to vacuumm the rugs multiple times.
I am going to return the unit how I got it but considering I have been here and a re-paint is probably due, can I be charged for part of that?
I plan on fully documenting all items cleaned in photographs and handing in a their set of pictures with my key.
The place I am at am chalking it up as a loss and moving on with my life as a lesson learned.
Would spending two solid weekends of cleaning and documenting all of this be enough to retain my 6% or at the very least, not get charged exorbitantly large fees? (LL charged someone $70.00 to clean a light fixture as one example)
Any input would be appreciated on this topic as I am going to do right by my LL but do not want to end up in the hole financially from this.
Thank You in advance.

Read this thread . [url]http://forum.freeadvice.com//cgi-bin/jump/?t=388668&highlight=normal+wear+tear[/url]

I'm not sure what you mean by your landlord does things " that way ".

I guess you have to explain .

If he deducts anything outside what your State's Landlord tenant Laws allow , he can not.

He would have to sue separately .

Korn look at it this way , If you do all you can to leave a unit that is clean and presentable behind and have photos , and the LL gets way way to creative in trying to pile on charges . In small claims court many of the judges there are pretty reasonable at seeing thru things and could order more of the deposit returned than what you imagine. Is it worth it , yes lots might not agree BUT it isnt there wallet that can be affected , its yours.

Thanks for the replies.

I will look at them later, the one with the URL.

I just want to get back what is deserved to me and if money is owed for heat and hot water, that is fine, but the LL deducts it from the security deposit, not billing you separately for it. My assumption is that it is to cut down on paper work.

I in no way want to risk my credit or reputation on leaving this place a mess.

I was told by a friend to just vacate, but I won't do that. That will end up with a crazy bill and I would deserve it for not lifting a finger for cleaning when I moved out.

My LL is also known for delaying security deposit returns and not getting them to tenants in 30 days (NH State Law). On day 30 if I went to pick it up and it was not there I would just leave and tell them I will be back tommorow. On day 31 I am entitled to two times my deposit as he did not legally return it on time. Is this correct? I believe it is called double entandre or something like that.

Thanks Again all.

You would have to wait a little longer than that. He has 30 days to mail it to you. It could take up to a week for it to go threw the mailing system.

you should look at those laws a little more. In some instances if you sue and ask for your deposit back the landlord cannot then charge you for repairs, However if you ask for the double amount he could countersue and charge you for repairs. This could end up hurting you in the end.

Could this be set to 30 days and I pick it up in person to save the LL the stamp?

Does it need to be post marked on day 30 (unless it is a Sunday)?

Is this period of days considered to be business days or "normal" days?

I just do not want to have to wait 2 months for what I am going to get back.

My previous neighbor it took them about 2 months to get their deposit back.

Edit:
This is my first Security Deposit to be returned to me so I am unfamiliar with how this works.

Due to being new to this situation, I do not see how offering to pick it up in person during business hours differs from mailing and giving the LL an extra week.

As far as repairs go for deductions ... Can a tenant have items deducted and no repairs performed?