Over twenty years ago, Stuart and Kim M. rented an apartment. When they left after living there for one month, the landlord kept the entire deposit. His reason for keeping it? He claimed that when he moved the stove, he found Cheerios on the floor underneath. Kim, now a professional house cleaner and co-owner of M&R Homecare in Bainbridge Island, Washington, has learned a lot about moving into an apartment.
As any experienced renter can agree, some landlords are a pleasure to rent from. I've rented from some great people. They are easily accessible to report problems, and can be counted on to make repairs promptly. I've also rented from a few landlords who can rarely be bothered to repair anything themselves. One of my previous landlords never even bothered to tell anyone when he was turning off the water to make a repair. I found out when I needed to wash my hands, but had no water. However, even a great landlord can't be expected to remember everything about a rental property. And for the rest, it is even more essential to know your rights as a renter.
By law, tenants must leave the property in the same condition as when they moved into it. Each state's Landlord/Tenant Law may differ slightly, so it is a good idea to look up your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in your state. In Washington state, “under the law, the rental unit must be restored to the same condition as when the tenant moved in, except for normal wear and tear.” Also under this law, landlords must provide a written statement explaining why all or part of the deposit was retained (RCW Chapter 59).
Landlords collect a security deposit in case the renters don't pay their rent, break their lease, or leave a mess behind. Landlords may legitimately keep a portion of the security deposit to cover the cost of any cleaning or repairs necessary before renting the property to a new tenant. Unfortunately, there are also landlords who try not to return any of their tenants' deposits, regardless of the condition of the rental property. In any case, tenants have the burden of proving what condition the rental was in when they moved in.
When you sign the lease, your landlord should give you a checklist to fill out and return to him within a few days. This where you should make notes of anything that is damaged or missing in the rental unit. If your landlord doesn't give you a list, you need to take the initiative to create your own. After all, it's your deposit, and you want to make sure you get back as much as possible. Sign and date it, and give him a copy. It's also a good idea to take pictures, especially if there are any major problems. Use the date stamp on your camera, if you have one. That way, if you do end up in small claims court, you'll have proof. The problem is, what do you look for? Here's what Kim has learned over the years.
Kitchen
Make sure that all the appliances are clean and functional. Lift up the burners to see if the stove is clean underneath. Pull out the bottom drawer of the stove, so you can see if the floor under it is clean. The oven and every burner on the stove should be working. If not, you need to write it on your checklist. This ensures that when you move out, you are not held responsible for the cost of repairing the stove.
Open the cupboards and drawers to make sure they are also functional and clean. Make sure all drawer pulls and door handles are intact, and that the hinges and latches work. Make sure drawers don't stick. Check the faucets to make sure they work, but don't drip.
Bathrooms
Look for mold, mildew, rust and leaks.
Flush the toilet. Make sure it doesn't run.
Check the faucets on both the sink and bathtub to make they work, but do not drip. Look for broken handles.
Check the caulking around the bathtub.
Check the cabinet under the sink. Look for leaky pipes, rotting wood or rusted metal.
Floors, Walls and Ceilings
Look for holes and stains. They don't have to be large or even obvious for your landlord to blame them on you. Even a small hole or minor discoloration needs to be noted on your checklist.
Don't forget to check the baseboards for damage.
Windows
Make sure the windows open, close and lock.
Check the seals around the windows for leaks, mold, or other damage.
If there are blinds, raise and lower them, then open and close them to make sure they are fully functional. Look for cracks, broken slats or missing pieces.
Note the condition of any window screens.
Lights
Try all the lights to make sure they work. Kitchens frequently use fluorescent lights, and a light that doesn't work may be more complicated than changing a bulb. If you have fluorescent lights, ask your landlord who is responsible for replacing them. Many landlords expect to replace these tubes themselves.
Check the light switch covers and electrical outlet covers for missing screws and cracks.
As you go through your checklist, write down everything you find that is missing or in need of repair. Your landlord may give you a strange look when you report that the mini-blind in the living room has a small piece missing. But when you move out, you'll be grateful you didn't have to pay the cost of replacing the whole blind.
Most Forgotten Areas
Blinds
If you dust your blinds at least weekly or bi-weekly, they will be clean when you move out.
Window Tracks
Suck out what you can with the vacuum cleaner attachment. Wrap a damp cloth around a flat-headed screwdriver to clean out the rest.
Baseboards
These gather dust too. Wipe with a damp cloth when you mop the floors, or vacuum with the hose attachment.
References
Attorney General of Washington, Consumer Protection Division. Residential Landlord/Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). Retrieved October 12, 2009 from http://www.wallawalla.org/documents/pdg/landlord_handbook/Landlord-Tenant%20Law.htm.
No comments:
Post a Comment