KIMBERLEEA
New Member
My husband and I moved to a rental property in 2009 that was owned by a family member. The day we moved in was the day the previous renters moved out. Little to no cleaning had been done prior to move in and since it was family, no pre-move in inspection was done or any legal documents drawn up. In 2013 we had a falling out with our family(landlord) and they hired a property mgmt. company to come in. In order to stay in the house, they had us sign a year lease and give a refundable security and pet deposit. I had wrote a punch list of all the things that needed to be fixed as well as existing damage upon move in and they said that would be considered the move-in inspection. In 2014 I filed for divorce due to domestic violence and we only had 1 month left on our lease and I couldn't pay last months rent and I told the property mgmt. to keep my deposit and apply it toward last months rent and I would only owe them another $250 (difference between rent owed and security deposit on file) They said security deposit could not be used for that and it is meant for damages etc. and they would send me an itemized bill within 14 days if there was any damage. Three months after moving, I received a bill in the mail for $3850 ( unpaid rent $1500 + 250 late fee + 2100 damages). They subtracted my deposit of $1250 which brought my owing balance down to $2600. I asked for copies of the bills and they had a $1000 cleaning bill in there. I asked for itemization what was cleaned specifically and why did it take 20 hrs when I left it cleaner than when we moved in. No response from them. They had invoices for mowing the yard, a broken window that were dated for work performed 2 months after move-out. The yard was mowed and there was no broken window on move-out. They said it looks like the window was broken from the outside. I went rounds with mgmt. company for 6 months over these bills and they said some of the bills were invalid because they were noted on the hand written punch list. I agreed to pay them $500 (remaining rent after deposit and 250 late fee) and no other charges. They sent the info to the owner of the house and they said my punch list wasn't valid and I did not have a move-in inspection because they never did one, so they tacked back on all of the items that the mgmt. co was going to take off. Now it is in collections. I disagree with all but $500, what to do? I do not feel they fulfilled there 14 day requirement as they had my address and I never got anything nor did they get the letter back supposedly. I sent a validation letter to collection agency already. If I take them to small claims I am not sure what I would ask for as I believe they can keep my deposit for the 1 month rent. I just want the rest of the ridiculous charges dropped. How should I proceed?
