Moving Out in Virginia

[Liveinsunshine]

I have lived at my apt. for 4 years and am moving soon. The complex was sold last year. My original lease, which the new owners acknowledge, is with the previous owner. In my intent to vacate letter, the new owner has indicated that in accordance with THEIR rules and regulations my security deposit is subject to THEIR schedule of maintenance charges when I move out. I have never been notified by the new owner of their rules and regulations nor do I have knowledge of their maintenance charges. They have also given me what I feel is an unreasonable move out inspection checklist. My current lease does not have those requirements. Aren't the new owners bound by the terms of my current lease?

Exactly what are the unreasonable expectations on the move out list? Per law, you basically have to leave the unit clean, and without damages. Any repairs from damages or cleaning they need to do can be deducted from your deposit. (Failure to clean is not wear & tear.) W&T is only the natural deterioration of the unit from the authorized number of residents and pets using the premises in a normal careful manner everyday for the period of the tenancy. Dirt is not W&T. A wear pattern in the carpet from traffic is. Fading of carpet or curtains is W&T. Removal of window coverings is not. A few fingerprints around switches or a couple nicks in the wall are W&T. Having to wash down the walls after a tenant leaves is not. Faded paint from 4 years of living there is W&T. Having to patch a bunch of large holes in the walls is not. I suggest you clean the unit well, wash everything, clean the bath & kitchen, make sure aplicances and bath fixtures are clean inside & out, shampoo the carpets, bomb for bugs if you had pets, remove all trash, and photograph the whole place clean when you leave to protect yourself.

[Liveinsunshine]

Thanks for your reply. I have every intention of cleaning the apartment before vacating. As for the unreasonable expectations, the landlord wants me to move the refrigerator and clean behind it. THey want me to replace drip pans and also to replace air filters and have light bulbs in each socket. I had to supply some of my own light bulbs when I moved in. The company wants me to professional clean the rugs. As that is not part of my original lease agreement, I will not comply. Are you saying I should wash down my walls? Do you know if they have to honor the terms of my current lease? Thanks!

None of those things are unreasonable. You've lived there for 4 years now. There's probably 4 years of dirt accumulated behind those appliances. Most of these now have wheels under them for easy moving, so clean it. You don't need to replace the drip pans if you can get them clean. If you can't, you should replace them since they were probably clean to begin with. (Go to a dollar store or a discount place like Big Lots to get them.) Be sure you lift the stovetop and clean under it too. (If they were listed on your move-in inspection as clean, they should be returned that way.) Air filters and light bulbs are your responsiblity as minor maintenance issues. Were some bulbs listed as missing on the move-in sheet? If not, replace them before you leave. (You're talking about $1 for 4 bulbs here!)

Yes, you need to remove the dirt from your carpet. If it was clean when you moved in, it should be clean when you leave. Again, unless your move-in says it is not clean, you need to leave it clean. Failure to clean is not wear & tear, it is a damage. Why don't you think you should remove the dirt you tracked in on that carpet for the last 4 years? In a few states, the law says you can skip this. But if it is not specified in your state law, do it.

As for your walls, weren't they clean when you moved in? Then they should be clean when you move out. Unless your move in sheet or documented evidence shows that something was dirty when you moved into the unit, you need to leave it clean. You need to leave the unit clean and undamaged with only wear & tear for the last 4 years.

These are normal procedures for any rented unit and I don't know why you think these things are unreasonable. Whatever is not clean when you leave will be photographed by management. Then it will be cleaned and deducted from your deposit. If you want your deposit back, leave the place cleaner than when you recieved it, take dated photos to prove you left it clean, and give a forwarding address in writing to management. And make sure you give the correct amount of notice in writing to say you will be moving out.