Is it legal for my former landlordto charge higher fees for the cleaning, etc. than that which was listed in my rent contract?
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Is it legal for my former landlordto charge higher fees for the cleaning, etc. than that which was listed in my rent contract?
I believe the apartment managers of the place I just moved from are trying to defraud me. They refused to let me do/witness the move-out inspection with them, and I busted my tail cleaning the place, and they are charging me a cleaning fee and for 2 stains, when there was only 1 teeny-tiny one. And the prices they listed are higher than what was listed in my rent contract.
Asked on November 21, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Arizona
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you have a written lease with your landlord concerning your former rental, read the document in that it controls the obligations owed to you by the landlord and vice versa in the absence of conflicting state law.
If the lease agreement sets a certain rate for cleaning upon move out as to you, then that rate controls regardless of the charges that the landlord has now imposed upon you that are different than what is listed.
I would write the landlord about this requesting the return of your excess money owed by a set date. If not returned by then, your option is a small claims court action.
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