What can a landlord charge you for after you move out?
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What can a landlord charge you for after you move out?
My landlord said he was charging us a full month’s rent for our final month, despite the fact that we’d only be there for 20 days (when our lease ended). When we moved in (where we only lived there for 10 days of the month), it was prorated.Then my landlord charged us $320 to repaint our bedrooms. We asked specifically when we were touring the apt if we could paint and an employee told us we could paint. Our lease says we won’t be charged for prepping for new tenants and we’ve been there over 2 years, yet we’re being charged full price to repaint? Seems shady. Can he gouge us like this?
Asked on August 22, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country the costs of paint for the unit that you rented assuming the painting resulted from normal wear and tear per your question should be absorbed by the landlord. Likewise you should be reimbursed a portion of the full month of rent you paid if you gave proper notice of move out and still paid for a full month and time that you did not reside in the unit.
I would write the former landlord a demand letter for the return of the $320, interest on it and the portion of your rent that you have written about. If not paid by a certain date, your legal recourse would seem to be small claims court.
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