We made a deposit of $500 on a 14 month lease of a 1 bedroom apartment with new appliances included (first tenants to rent such unit, hence new appliances). Sixty days prior to the end of the lease, we sent the leasing company an official communication that we did not intend to renew the lease and were going to move out. So far so good.
Shortly after moving out of the apartment during memorial day weekend, the leasing company performed a move-out inspection (we were not present due to moving to another state that weekend) and claimed certain damages from our security deposit, which were mostly all reasonable, except they are asking almost $1,000 for scratches in the fridge.
Turns out we don't get to keep our security deposit, plus they are asking for an additional ~$500 which adds up to the total ~$1,000.
We kindly asked them to take pictures of the damage unit, so we went back and they let us see the refrigerator in person and take our pictures. The refrigerator has minimal scratches (as if an abrasive pad had been used for cleaning) that are only noticeable if light is hitting the surface at the right angle.
My issues are:
A) The damages they claim are pretty much the price of a brand new refrigerator. B) The damage definitely doesn't look like it's $1,000 worth of damages. C) The fridge is in perfect working condition, the claim is for a cosmetic issue only. D) We do not remember damaging the fridge like that, and would definitely know if we had done it.
E) We have no idea if someone of the leasing company end tried cleaning the fridge after we left and damaged it themselves.
How do we proceed? I'd like to hear from you all before retaining an attorney if that's actually needed.
Thank you.
Submitted June 15, 2017 at 12:41AM by AlphaNovemberZulu http://ift.tt/2sAEKYc legaladvice
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