- Jurisdiction
- California
Hello, Sr. / Madam
I am an international female student from Japan, who went one of colleges in Bay Area CA for 4 years and I just terminated my rental contract to come back to my country on 12/29 but I think my landlady is overcharging me for carpet installation. The house in dispute is located in a quiet area of Concord, CA.
I paid $700 for security deposit on July 1st 2016 with my first rent. It is same amount as my monthly rent.
I lived in there for about half a year (7/1 - 12/29) and I paid all my rents on time and she told me before my moving out that if I ever change my mind and decide to stay in the US she is very welcome to have me in her house.
Everything went well and at least I thought I had a very pleasant relationship with my landlady.. Until now.
During my stay I made some wine stain on the carpet and before moving out I tried to clean them with bleach which resulted in leaving minor white dots on carpet in my room. Upon moving out she mentioned about those white dots and I believe she has right to deduct reasonable sum of money for carpet replacement.
Things got strange when my boyfriend showed up to her house as she agreed that he would go to pick up my bicycle and rest of security deposit. We asked prior on which day it will be good to come and she said 12/31 6pm. In that morning I asked via email how much I can get for security deposit and then she told me very later that she cannot give me estimate yet since all carpet companies are closed for holiday season so I have to wait till next week. I said OK thinking then today my boyfriend can just pick up my bike and he can revisit for my security deposit some other time. He showed up there, and she basically slapped the door in his face with a very cold tone of voice saying my boyfriend can't be here or she has to go. It's unclear where she had to go, without any explanation she kicked him out from her property. I am very surprised by this because she never behaved such impolitely before and, what does it takes for her to just open the garage so he can get my bike anyways? Then she sent me email saying it's very inappropriate for my boyfriend to visit her on unscheduled time. But,, she never said we can't go get bike and first of all it is her who set the schedule!
Anyhow, I have been asking her for the rest of my deposit and she demands me for additional $700 because carpet replacement for small single room costs $1400.
The carpet looked quite ordinary and she never mentioned that the carpet is of high value.
Now I am asking her for further details such as the carpet company she asked estimate, carpet material, the room size. She hasn't replied yet.
I know some of international students who paid for entire apartment in our area (carpet and wallpaper replacement of 1 single room, 1 master room, hallway, 1 living room, and also replacement kitchen floor) and it costs around $2000, and it's very hard to convince me and my boyfriend that carpet installation of one room costs $1400, but I am not sure. I know in Bay Area everything is expensive, but is it that much? On the internet some people say around it could cost around $300. The room was small and it never exceeds 15 square meters. The house is not new either.
She is teaching art history in community college and I can't believe that a woman of such a respectful status would trick me into a scam. She was so nice with me and my boyfriend too. But now, she has changed and become very bland/emotionless and almost threatens me.
I am already outside of the US and I am wondering what my situation is in legal terms.
Does it ever happen that in a normal house single room carpet replacement costs $1400?
I honestly don't care much of money (doesn't mean I am ultra rich!!) but I can't tolerate that she attempts to put the blame on me or that she thinks she can get easy few hundred bucks if she scares me with extra charge.
I seek for opinions and advice. I only lived in the US for 4 years by myself and I am not in the know of this sort of issues. Please help me. Thank you.
I am an international female student from Japan, who went one of colleges in Bay Area CA for 4 years and I just terminated my rental contract to come back to my country on 12/29 but I think my landlady is overcharging me for carpet installation. The house in dispute is located in a quiet area of Concord, CA.
I paid $700 for security deposit on July 1st 2016 with my first rent. It is same amount as my monthly rent.
I lived in there for about half a year (7/1 - 12/29) and I paid all my rents on time and she told me before my moving out that if I ever change my mind and decide to stay in the US she is very welcome to have me in her house.
Everything went well and at least I thought I had a very pleasant relationship with my landlady.. Until now.
During my stay I made some wine stain on the carpet and before moving out I tried to clean them with bleach which resulted in leaving minor white dots on carpet in my room. Upon moving out she mentioned about those white dots and I believe she has right to deduct reasonable sum of money for carpet replacement.
Things got strange when my boyfriend showed up to her house as she agreed that he would go to pick up my bicycle and rest of security deposit. We asked prior on which day it will be good to come and she said 12/31 6pm. In that morning I asked via email how much I can get for security deposit and then she told me very later that she cannot give me estimate yet since all carpet companies are closed for holiday season so I have to wait till next week. I said OK thinking then today my boyfriend can just pick up my bike and he can revisit for my security deposit some other time. He showed up there, and she basically slapped the door in his face with a very cold tone of voice saying my boyfriend can't be here or she has to go. It's unclear where she had to go, without any explanation she kicked him out from her property. I am very surprised by this because she never behaved such impolitely before and, what does it takes for her to just open the garage so he can get my bike anyways? Then she sent me email saying it's very inappropriate for my boyfriend to visit her on unscheduled time. But,, she never said we can't go get bike and first of all it is her who set the schedule!
Anyhow, I have been asking her for the rest of my deposit and she demands me for additional $700 because carpet replacement for small single room costs $1400.
The carpet looked quite ordinary and she never mentioned that the carpet is of high value.
Now I am asking her for further details such as the carpet company she asked estimate, carpet material, the room size. She hasn't replied yet.
I know some of international students who paid for entire apartment in our area (carpet and wallpaper replacement of 1 single room, 1 master room, hallway, 1 living room, and also replacement kitchen floor) and it costs around $2000, and it's very hard to convince me and my boyfriend that carpet installation of one room costs $1400, but I am not sure. I know in Bay Area everything is expensive, but is it that much? On the internet some people say around it could cost around $300. The room was small and it never exceeds 15 square meters. The house is not new either.
She is teaching art history in community college and I can't believe that a woman of such a respectful status would trick me into a scam. She was so nice with me and my boyfriend too. But now, she has changed and become very bland/emotionless and almost threatens me.
I am already outside of the US and I am wondering what my situation is in legal terms.
Does it ever happen that in a normal house single room carpet replacement costs $1400?
I honestly don't care much of money (doesn't mean I am ultra rich!!) but I can't tolerate that she attempts to put the blame on me or that she thinks she can get easy few hundred bucks if she scares me with extra charge.
I seek for opinions and advice. I only lived in the US for 4 years by myself and I am not in the know of this sort of issues. Please help me. Thank you.