Mr. Ludy and I bought a house and will be leaving our apartment (yea!). The apartment building is owned by a large corporation that has done nothing but make us bend over and say Yes Sir may I have another. We got to the point where we could narrow down to the week when the notice of rent increase would arrive. My favourite was the day that I was about 2 minutes away from witnessing a murder outside the entrance to the building and the next day got a rental increase bragging about the fantastic location. Anyway, we did a happy dance of joy when we gave them our notice.
That is just a little background info so you know why I feel no need to bend to their will. Today I got a lovely notice under the door stating a new policy in regards to carpet cleaning that was news to me. Ah wait, let me reread the rental agreement, hmm it is not there either. Suddenly they require a professional carpet cleaner to clean the apartment upon move out and if we do not provide a receipt, they will charge us for them to hire a carpet cleaner. We were always planning to clean the carpet but feel no responsibility to get a professional and prove it to them as if we are in grade school and need a doctor’s note.
Now for the opinion part. How does this letter sound? The original contained many more expletives and other such statements not suitable for children, but I thought it was best to play nice.
So here is the letter.
This is in regards to the notice sent to apartment ### in regards to carpet cleaning. I have read the rental agreement that was signed by myself and Mr Ludy and in no place does it mention a mandatory carpet cleaning upon move out. The only statement in regard to carpet cleaning is one stating that if Boardwalk is required to clean the carpets the renter will be charged accordingly. We have already arranged for the carpets to be cleaned and according to the rental agreement have no responsibility to provide a receipt. If this was included in the agreement I would have no issue with the policy, but since this was a surprise policy to us, and arrangements have already been made I feel it is not our responsibility to be accountable for an additional, unnecessary carpet cleaning, or to provide proof that the carpet was cleaned. As a side note I can only assume that this is a new policy since the carpets were not freshly cleaned when we moved in. This can be noted from a stain that was recorded during our initial walk through that was easily removed by a steam cleaning that occurred during our occupancy.
Sincerely
“In regards to the notice on carpet cleaning sent to apartment ### regarding to carpet cleaning: Our rental agreement makes no mention of a mandatory carpet cleaning upon move out - the only relevant language is a statement that if Boardwalk is required to clean the carpets the renter will be charged accordingly. We have already arranged for the carpets to be cleaned; in accordance with our rental agreement we have no plans to provide a receipt for this cleaning or to pay for any additional cleaning. I note that a carpet stain (subsequently removed by a steam cleaning during our occupancy) was recorded during our initial walk through; we will thus be leaving the carpets in a cleaner state than when we arrived.”
I understand you not wanting to bend over, but saying that you’ll get the carpet cleaned but arn’t going to prove it is just going to piss them off. Trust me, you don’t want to piss off the large corporation. And again as much as you don’t want to bend over, I’d say just hand over the receipt and move on with life. You bought a house, you won’t be renting again any time soon so who cares.
If they think you’re being a jerk just becuase, then they’ll be a jerk just becuase, and they can be a much bigger jerk then you.
I’ve moved out of ALOT of apartments and it’s never fun, anything at all you can do to make it go smoother will be worth it in the end.
Besides, it probably says somewhere in the contract that they are allowed to change the contract as long as they give you 30 days notice. In which case, they’re in the clear.
Oh and I will not have a receipt to submit since we are going to be doing it ourselves. I am not being difficult just because, I am being difficut because the new policy that we were not informed of will cost us about double.
We have already arranged for the carpets to be cleaned and according to the rental agreement have no responsibility to provide a receipt. If this was included in the agreement I would have no issue with the policy, but since this was a surprise policy to us, and arrangements have already been made I feel it is not our responsibility to be accountable for an additional, unnecessary carpet cleaning, or to provide proof that the carpet was cleaned. As a side note I can only assume that this is a new policy since the carpets were not freshly cleaned when we moved in. This can be noted from a stain that was recorded during our initial walk through that was easily removed by a steam cleaning that occurred during our occupancy.
Cut out all of the above. I says more than is needed and could also grant them extra rights you doin’t intend. Add absolutely nothing extra to any statement you give them.
Provide them with a receipt if you have to. Being pigheaded could cost you money, because they’ll say the floors needed cleaning, and they had no idea you did clean them.
The shorter the note the less chance of saying something that adds to your responsibilities in this case. The time to get verbose is in the initial contract. Take pictures before you leave. Spend effort in getting good pictures. Take pictures of all the carpets to show that a corner somewhere doesn’t have a stain.
Since you plan on cleaning the carpet anyway, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t manditory in a letter. It’s extra not needed at this time. I don’t see a reason to send them any letter at this time. Give them a copy of the receipt, and save aetter for if they try to keep some of your deposit. At that point only address the problem they are charging you to correct. They will use anything you write in small claims court.
IMHO, you pull out that sort of attitude are for when you know you have the law on your side and you’re not afraid to call them on it. Have you actually researched the laws in your town to confirm that their request is in fact illegal? If so, then mention that in your letter, otherwise, refer to Joey P.
It seems like you’ve already decided that you will not pay for professional cleaning, under any circumstances. So I think there are 2 options:
(a) Call the management office and try to negotiate an arrangement, being friendly but firm.
(b) When you move out just hand them the receipt for the steam cleaner, carpet shampoo, or whatever it is that you rent or purchase to clean the carpet yourself, and don’t mention the fact that you skipped the pro service. If someone says something, act confused and say that you and Mr. Ludy spent hours cleaning the carpet. Say you were supposed to visit your mother in law but you didn’t go so you could clean the carpet. Then say the job is so much better than the last pros who were in there, because there was a stain when you moved in. And would they at least go to the apartment and look for themselves? By that point the person handling your move out probably won’t care anymore.
In 8 years as a renter I’ve had (a) and variations of (b) work for me. YMMV.
One computer, one printer, a few graphics and some typing, waste a piece of paper, fold it in thirds. Poof! One professional-looking receipt. Easy, non-confrontational.
This is good advice even if there were no other issues. When I move out, I’m dropping off a CD of pictures along with the keys. (And a pointed comment about the kitchen linoleum being ruined by their employees dragging dishwashers and refrigerators across it but that’s a different story don’t get me started.)
The only thing I’d add in there is to be clear that they can’t unilaterally alter the terms of the lease - to their benefit - after you’ve entered the contract.
Just like you couldn’t, for example, send them a notice demanding a “key return fee,” they can’t pull this crap on you either.
Just because they’re a big corporation doesn’t mean a different laws apply to them, than you.
Your problem is they probably have a deposit from you, and they’re going try to deduct every red cent out of that deposit they think they can possibly get away with.
I might also mention something about small claims court, for that reason.
“I realize we’re both busy people, and neither of us wants to have to make court appearances over carpet cleaning. I’m hopeful we can reach an agreement about this ahead of time, to preclude that possibility.”
I really hate corporations who think they’re above the law, when it comes to dealing with little people.
The good news is they think their time is far more valuable than yours, and - as long as the letter gets to the right person - they’re very likely to back down. Especially since they know, or should know, that they’re in the wrong.
If the RA says something explict about carpet cleaning, I would include that exact language: “The only mention of carpet cleaning in the RA is in Paragraph X, which says ‘[exact language]’. There is no requirement in the RA that the carpets be professionally cleaned, or that a receipt be provided.” Other than that, I would delete everything after “provide a receipt.” (Delete the sentence beginning “If this was included . . .” and everything after it.) All you need the letter to say is:
You have demanded we do X.
With regards to X, the rental agreement says [whatever]. It does not say it must be professional. It does not say a receipt much be provided.
We intend to do X appropriately, as required by our rental agreement.
That’s it. And keep a copy of your letter (obviously).
Do you have a photo of your apartment when you first moved in?
Also, get a photo of the carpet after you move your furniture out (before your cleaning) and one afterwards.
When I lived in West Hollywood, the legal limit for carpets was seven years - afterwards it had to be replaced anyway. Check your local ordinances (if there are any).
You are far too nice (plus you don’t mention deposit?).
I would just take the pictures of before and after and let them take me to small claims court if they feel the need. Trust me, you will win.
Our recent tale of woe is a toilet we just had to have fixed, and it looks like it will be at our expense–$600 worth. This happened yesterday and we had to take matters into our own hands. This was because if you call the management on a Saturday you’re lucky to hear from them by Monday, and this was an emergency. It was not a “wait until Monday” situation.
These people own 120 buildings and must be collecting millions of dollars monthly in rents; given the size of the operation they should have staff on call at all hours.
These are the same people I griped about earlier who refused to compensate us for several days without hot water.