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Updated 10 days ago, 12/30/2024

User Stats

110
Posts
10
Votes
Pixel Rogue
  • PA
10
Votes |
110
Posts

Unique damages from exiting tenant…

Pixel Rogue
  • PA
Posted

Hello everyone,

Have a long-term tenant who recently exited. We have been fortunate to rarely hold any security funds from former tenants. In this situation we have a former-tenant  hyper sensitive to return of full security deposit (when unit wasn’t returned in good condition) and we are  experiencing a few unique damages. Hoping others experienced similar with input to share, lessons learned etc.

1) REFRIGERATOR: Brand new refrigerator was installed after tenant  maybe two-three years ago. Fridge door seal is cracked in several areas needing replacement. I have fridges for decades and the seals don’t go, yet expect the argument or normal wear. Better still, the recessed handle trim is visibly chipped (stands out as bad.) The seal can be purchased but the recessed trim is only available by purchasing the entire door. Entire door is apx. $550. Fridge door also took a few smaller dents. Doesn’t seem fair to charge the full price to replace the door but what other options exist? I would also sooner apply that amount towards a new fridge than buy the door.

2) WINDOW TREATMENTS - Each window had window blinds. Front had verticals and more traditional horizontal blinds throughout. Upon exit the verticals vanished, one replaced by a horizontal. Few left were broken, never cleaned. Lease has stipulations for condition of blinds.  

A) Lease was older where price quoted in lease doesn’t cover cost of replacement. <- presume that is on me. 

B) Would prefer to install curtain rods now over blinds for most windows. Can I purchase the rods and charge back to tenant as missing/damaged window treatments when originals were blinds?

3) Windows - a fair amount of windows took damage. Clear damage would be the vinyl window handles chipped and broken. There isn’t much of a way to replace the molded handles by themselves. Windows are expensive to replace.

4) Glue Residues - Lease is very specific for no double-side tape or adhesive (ie 3M pull tabs ok, but not double sided tape.) Tons of double sided tape used which results in a fair amount of extra effort to restore (most cases paint comes right off the wall requiring patching sanding etc, some cases Good-off was effective. Lease has double sided tape specifically cited that includes a charge for each instance. Tenant clearly accepted these responsibilities. 

Here is  the biggest question -

I expect withholding  $1.00 of the security deposit is going to cause friction. Withholding the entire amount of the security deposit doesn’t even cover the costs incurred. 

If this goes to court, it is with a judge well known for being pro-tenant.

Fridge - I could purchase the new door and deduct. Seems a bit of a waste. Judge may also decide to prorate or chop that amount down, or throw it into the bucket of normal wear. Would it be safe to purchase a new fridge, deduct maybe 1/2 of cost to replace  current fridge door from the security deposit, provide receipt with explanation?

Windows - same question as above? Would I deduct the cost to replace each damaged window in its entirety, or provide receipt and take a smaller amount off as it isn’t as off the window glass was cracked or shattered? 

WINDOW TREATMENTS - same as above. If I switch from blinds to rods, would I a) provide receipts for the rods and deduct in full - receipt furnished to tenant,  2) deduct cost of blinds as priced today but receipt would be for curtain rods, 3) deduct cost of blinds as outlined in the lease but provide receipt for curtain rods (explanation and receipt furnished) 4)  be forced to replace using the same blinds that were installed when tenant arrived n order to deduct. 

DOUNLE SIDED TAPE - Lease clearly has amount spelled out for each occurrence. Is that safe to deduct when tenant signed? We do the work ourselves so there wouldn’t be a separate charge 

—-

Sorry this in ranking a bit. We had a walkthrough which I always offer for obvious damages (ie holes in the wall.). Window handles broken were called out during that walk through. Walkthroughs are never detailed enough to be final (ie often tenants have lower disconnected and discover broken appliances later.) Fridge

Was discovered after tenant raced away from walkthrough. Discovered shower head busted. Window treatments were so obviously missing, broken and such that it want called out during walk through.  Tenant took photos and videos but nothing detailed - a single shot or two of a room from the entrance, so is saying fridge was fine, normal wear etc 

Next - If we are being nice and deducting ‘portions’ of the charges and tenant continues to grind away, or this goes to court, do the compromise and smaller amounts offered negate the full amounts that could have been charged.  - like we ar nice, deduct portions instead of full amount..this goes to court and judge rules in our favor and that means the smaller amounts we offered being nice. If this goes to court we would expect the full costs deducted. 

Long winded set of related questions. Thanks for sticking though it and sharing input 

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