Tenant replaced locks and washing machine

[Troy P.]

I provided washer and dryer, and upon move out, realized the washing machine was completely different.  She said mine broke and someone suggested replacing it, so she did, with another used one.  Should this be taken from the deposit, and how?  It was filthy and had to be cleaned before I was comfortable even turning it on.

She also replaced some, not all, of the external locks and never gave me a key.  At move out, she gave me 6 keys so the questions were asked.  She changed them due to a hostile ex, which was an obvious violation of the lease.  I had Kwikset with 1 key to open all locks.  Now I have 3 different keys...

The dishwasher was about 15 years old and working fine when she moved in.  It was broken and filthy when she moved out.  I replaced it, but how do you put a price on repairs?  How do you know how much to deduct for these estimated expenses that you may do yourself or you end up tossing and replacing?  Thanks!

[Theresa Harris]

For the washing machine, if she didn't ask to be reimbursed, just leave it.  for the dishwasher, if running it doesn't clean it up, you can only charge her for cleaning (or if it is broken, repairs or replacement cost).  Replacement cost on a 20 year old dishwasher won't be much.  You have to charge her what was left of the lifespan.  Eg (making up numbers) if a fridge lasts for 15 years, and they break a 10 year old fridge to the point it can't be repaired, you can only charge them 1/3 of the price of a new one as it had 5 years left.

For the keys, if the ones she gave you don't work for the new locks, then charge her for a locksmith who will come by and re-key all of them.  If the keys she gave you work, then don't worry about it especially if they were changed to keep a hostile ex out.