Deducting Security Deposit for non- broken Blinds?

Question

The tenant that moved out had a baby and I guess they must have tried to baby proof the home. I understand that that dangling cords are a concern, but what they did to the cord blinds was ridiculous:

They knotted and tied up all the blinds in all those various knots. I tried untangling them but its like a Gordonian knot and I can't untangle them.

Can I deduct from the security deposit the cost to replace these blinds even if they still work because I can't untangle the cords? After talking to a employee at Home Depot, it sounds like it'd be cheaper to just buy new blinds than to replace the cords themselves.

Has anybody dealt with a problem like this before? Is there any secret or tip as how to untangle these cords?

Account Closed · Answer

You could charge them for them, and I think it would be fair.

The only problem in CA, would be if they fought it, and you didn't include them in the initial inspection list.

However, you can charge them for things that were not obvious during your initial inspection.

Why don't you charge them for them and see if they fight it?  If they do, they will most likely then send you a demand letter before taking you to small claims court.  If they do that, you could then just reimburse them, before going to court.

And by the way, blinds that don't work - are broken :-)

Account Closed · Answer

Are the tenants still local?  You could ask them if they want to come untangle them or be charge for new ones.  Put it in writing.

Since you haven't mentioned it, my fear is you didn't do an initial move out inspection or give them the proper notice of their right to one.  If you didn't do this, you can't charge them for anything.  You were supposed to give them an option for an inspection, then give them a list of everything they had to do to get their full deposit back.  Then, you can only charge them for anything that was on the list that they did not do - or for damage that was not visible during the inspection or happened after the inspection.

So, if you didn't do this, getting them to accept a deduction is a gamble.  If they fight you on it, you would have to return their entire deposit, regardless of any damage.

http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/se...

Scroll down to the blue section.  And you might want to get this book.  It was my bible:

http://www.nolo.com/products/the-california-landlo...

It includes all the forms and contracts you could ever need in CA, written by CA attorneys and it's easy to read.  I used all their forms and their month-to-month agreement.

Account Closed · Answer

Take pictures of the blinds and all damages and send them to the tenant with an itemized bill for damages.  A picture speaks 1000 words!  Also the pictures are good for taking to court in case they contest it.

The cords tied up like this is overkill.  You can tell the blinds are in good shape and clean.  But once again as stated above, who can use them tied up like this.

Nancy Neville

Jeff McCaskey · Answer

@Dana R.

The deal is tenant is to leave the unit in the same or better condition than they found it right.....

They didn't.

Doesn't matter who gets the knots out if that's how you do it, but charge them for the time spent dealing with the issue.

Had a move out where a toilet tank lid was broken. Had an extra toilet so I swapped tanks out and replaced guts at the same time. Since I had the tank I priced a new tank and then charged for labor for the change out. If I were to charge just the 30 some $ for the tank that wouldn't cover my time. Just like no charge for blinds doesn't cover time involved in cord issue or replacement......

Kelly N. · Answer

It would take time, but I could probably get that knot out.  Just keep picking at the center part of it to loosen it, consider removing the little wooden bobbers by either untying the knots that hold them or cutting the string and retying them on later- if those are out of the way it becomes easier.  I wouldn't do it for free, but those look like nice blinds so it might be cheaper than replacement or having new cords installed.

I am planning on making (or copying) a list of move out charges to give to my tenants so they know what is expected of them and what the charges might be if things are left in disrepair.  It would include charges for cleaning, drywall repair, busted blinds, broken doors, screens, etc.  I would be adding something like this to that list.

Dana R. · Answer

So, there's no way or trick to untangle these cords?

Ideally, I'd like to do that rather than deduct from the security deposit.

David Hutson · Answer

I would charge them for them and let them know when you send them the itemized list of deductions that the cost for new cords and installation would be more expensive than replacing the blinds.  If they want to question the expense you can provide them an estimate from Home Depot/Lowes that shows the cost.

If it's reasonable they shouldn't question it.

Chuy Gonzalez · Answer

Hell yeah you can charge them...they damaged your property. Period.

Deducting Security Deposit for non- broken Blinds?

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