Cleaning Fee Responsibility

Wow, in what state are you residing? They put in the lease a $1000
deposit plus $150 per month pet rent. They advertise as a 'pet
friendly' building. What is that all about? Of course, none of that
deposit will ever be refunded with all sorts of fabricated reasons.

Is cleaning the carpet before you vacate the apartment in your lease
or not? You can complain and blame the rental agency (and commenters
here) all you want, but if its in the lease and you didn't like it you
should have never signed the lease. Its time to act like a grownup
and take care of your responsibilites you agreed to even if you don't
like them.

All of the apartment complexes around here run exactly as you have
said, charge a refundable deposit, charge non-refundable pet deposits,
and still expect you to have the carpets cleaned. Basically, the
apartment is to be in the exact condition that it was turned over to
the renter in minus wear and tear. (Carpets cleaned and all) Members
of my family have various allergies and my first thought is that I
would certainly want the carpets professionally cleaned after the last
tenants regardless as to how clean the carpet looks. This ensures
that the carpet is deep cleaned and hopefully rid of more pet hair and
dander and any other foreign substances. The apartment complex we
vacated a year ago had a check list of all the items we needed to
clean and take care of before exiting the apartment. Had we not taken
care of everything on that list, we would have been charged
appropriately. First, the landlord would have taken any charges out
of the refundable deposit, and then they would have come after us for
the rest.

I had the carpets cleaned by "Cort" in the entire house we were
renting (great carpet cleaning sale) and the owner still decided that
the carpets needed to be cleaned and said he was going to keep our per
deposit.

When I showed him the bill from Cort, he had no choice but to admit
the carpets were clean and gave us back the deposit.

thanks all for defending my rental agency. Just because they write
something doesn't mean that it is a fair or best practice for
business. I know someone is going to say, that's business. i say
that is taking advantage of people. I mentioned this to several
people and not one said to me, is it in your lease, they said, that
sucks. So I ponder what exactly do you all do that have replied to my
post? are you in the rental business? My prolem also comes at the
amazement that this agency doesn't incur ANY fee base for their
renters, which I find unusual, and unlike ANY apartment I have lived
at. I am amazed that my $500 non refundable or pet fee go toward a
fraction of what ends up being my carpet cleaning, that they already
contract at for a low negotiated cost...so then...pay it?

it also depends on what CONDITION you're leaving the apartment in.


Sure you may have only been there 7 months but it doesn't mean the
carpet cannot be damaged to the point of needing to be cleaned.


Read your lease over. See what you agreed to when you signed it.


Or ... ask your landlord / landlady what you can do to get out of the
fee. If you clean it to their standards they may waive it. However
understand that their standards may be higher than what some may
expect. Cos they have to get the apartment ready for a new tenant.

Paying to get the carpets cleaned is a regular expense when moving out
of an apartment, its probably in your lease. It has nothing to do
thie the pet fees which is a separte issue.

The pet fees are to cover the extra wear and tear a pet causes. It
also helps cover the extra insurance a complex should have to house
pets.

If its in your lease its legal. Should have read it.

The pet fee is normally used if they have to replace carpet due to
stains or steam clean the place to remove pet hair.

It doesnt matter how long you were there, if you decide to leave early
thats your issue. You knew about the deposits and fees because you
read the lease....right?

Jerod P.,

Was it stipulated in your lease?

BillR.