Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

''Routine'' security deposit deductions?

I was charged for steam cleaning my carpets when I moved out of my last apartment complex even though the landlord remarked that she had never seen an apartment retuned in such a clean condition before. She said that condition didn't matter. State law REQUIRED that they steam clean and the tenant was required to pay for it. I knew that was wrong, but being students, we didn't fight it.

Now, I'm hearing horror stories from my friends who rented from the same management as company I am currently. For example, my friend was given a sheet by the landlord informing her that ALL tenants will be charged $40 to replace the built-in cutting board due to ''sanitation reasons'' regardless of condition or length of tenancy.

I will be moving from in a few months, and I was wondering first, if there truly are charges that the landlord can make REGARDLESS of condition, and second, how I can prepare to fight this. I'm already planning to take move out photos and to use my university's move out videotaping service. But to be honest, my university is in Santa Barbara, and there's no line between landlord and government here.


Asked on 9/17/05, 9:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Iadevaia Law Offices of Philip A. Iadevaia

Re: ''Routine'' security deposit deductions?

Your lease should state what ordinary cleaning charges you will responsible for. Anything else is the landlord's responsibility. The landlord has to follow certain procedures in notifying you of changes in the contract, especially additional charges. Check your lease and call me. Good Luck.

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Answered on 9/19/05, 11:42 am


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