American River Property Management

Consumer states that they have been contacted by the business and received a partial deposit backConsumer remains unsatisfied with the business assessment of the final condition of the residence as there were charges that they are not in agreement withThe itemized sheet for the estimates and final invoices were all provided except for the carpet charge of $Consumer remains dissatisfied with the total amount of $returned

Consumer states that they have been contacted by the business and received a partial deposit back. Consumer remains unsatisfied with the business assessment of the final condition of the residence as there were charges that they are not in agreement with. The  itemized sheet for the estimates...

and final invoices were all  provided except for the carpet charge of $500. Consumer remains dissatisfied with the total amount of $648 returned.

Review: Fabrication of charges/failure to substantiate charges in Security Deposition and refund full Security Deposit

I received a Security Deposit Deposition from my former Landlord (American River Property Management) on December 7, 2013 which included an itemized deduction of various fabricated charges that ultimately "gouged" my Security Deposit. As I documented the state in which I left the rental unit (with photos) and had documentation refuting charges made in the Disposition (i.e. charge to remove a "red plastic box" in the backyard which was not my property/at the unit when I began my tenancy) I sought legal counsel to remedy the situation.

Per my attorney's instruction, I addressed each fabricated charge made by the Landlord in the Security Deposit Disposition by email and was informed by the Landlord that the Security Deposit Disposition I received was only "an estimate"- and that a final check would be sent on Friday, December 13, 2013. I requested that my Security Deposit be refunded in-full as well as the money I spent to professionally steam clean the unit's carpeting that I was told was required to exit the property by the Landlord (which I also documented).

On Monday, December 16, 2013 I received a second check from American River Property Management which still included fabricated charges such as "Back yard - Remove red plastic box" and unsubstantiated charges for "ordinary wear and tear" such as a charge for "Touchup paint" that amounted to a total of $68 (Total Labor and Materials). As I was not refunded the fee to professionally steam clean the property's carpeting as well ([redacted], Receipt #[redacted], total cost= $55) the Landlord managed to charge me for a total of $123 in fabricated charges on my Security Deposit Disposition and an unnecessary professional carpet cleaning fee. I am filing a complaint based on the following Civil Code Section 1950.5(b) and California Tenant Law for the reasons listed below:

Deductions for cleaning can only be made if the cleaning is necessary to return the property to the condition in which it was received upon the inception of tenancy. If the property is left in as clean a state as it was received when tenancy began (documented by photos I took upon moving-in and moving-out of the property), no deduction for cleaning is allowed, and the Landlord has the burden to prove the difference. Deductions for damage are only permitted if they're caused by the tenant and they are beyond "normal wear and tear". In my case, the Landlord charged me to remove a red plastic planter that was already at the property when I began my tenancy and for bathroom "Touchup paint".

Had I not instructed the Landlord of my willingness to remedy the matter in small claims court, I would not have received a second check on December 16, 2013 that was still less than the amount I requested and am legally entitled to; even after it was combined with the first check I received from the Landlord on December 6, 2013.Desired Settlement: I am seeking a refund from the Landlord (American River Property Management) in the amount of $123.

The amount covers fabricated/unsubstantiated claims included in the final Security Deposit Disposition as well as the fee to professionally steam clean the property's carpeting upon exiting the property.

As previously stated, I documented (with photos) the state in which I left the property and I AM NOT, nor have I ever been, the owner of the "red plastic box" (which can be verified by conversations I documented with other tenants of the complex when I moved-in to the property) that I was charged to remove from the backyard.

Business

Response:

Work completed was necessary to return the property to former condition less ordinary wear and tear. Carpet cleaning is included in rental agreement.

Consumer

Response:

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

I am visiting family in the northwest (where I have been since December 21, 2013) and will not return home ([redacted]) until January 5, 2014 (where I have access to the Rental Agreement w/ American River Property Management).

I realize that this will not be in time to meet the seven (7) day window to submit a copy of the Rental Agreement. Thus, I have no expectation that you will continue to spend any more time processing my complaint. I would like to note that the company still has NOT addressed the fabricated charges listed in my Security Deposit Disposition (i.e the "red planters" I was charged to remove from the backyard that were NOT my property) OR proved that the property was left in a damaged state (it wasn't); effectively shirking what is legally required to lay claim to part of or all of a tenant's Security Deposit.

American River Property Management is just one example of various property management companies that engage in unscrupulous practices to rob good and bad tenants alike of their Security Deposits. It's sad that tenants must resort to things like Small Claims Court or the Revdex.com to bring attention to the habitual thievery of certain landlords/property management companies.

Thank you for at least requiring American River Property Management to offer a response, however pathetic, for its nauseating behavior over the course of the last several weeks.

Review: This company managed a rental property we lived in for 2.5 years. We moved out on 3/22 and the woman in the office, [redacted], insisted that we returned all of the keys before 12:00pm on 3/23. My wife returned the keys to the Suite stated on our lease, but the office was locked and Suite didn't clearly list the businesses name. The phone number they have listed on google is disconnected and I'm unable to get a hold of anyone in the office. They have a $2000 deposit we placed when we rented the home and I haven't not heard from them about scheduling a final walkthrough or any time line for getting our deposit back. I have emailed them at the only contact information I have that doesn't bounce back, [redacted], but have not received any response. This service is unacceptable when they have so much of my money and are not making any effort to get back to me in a timely manner or giving me any way to get in contact with them. They have no good contact information on their website and I don't have the ability to continually visit their office in hopes of getting in contact with someone. I also looked up their website domain owner ([redacted]) who has contact information listed in the same office, but his phone number is also disconnected.Desired Settlement: I would like to schedule my final walkthrough and close out my lease agreement so I can get my deposit back.

Consumer

Response:

Consumer states that they have been contacted by the business and received a partial deposit back. Consumer remains unsatisfied with the business assessment of the final condition of the residence as there were charges that they are not in agreement with. The itemized sheet for the estimates and final invoices were all provided except for the carpet charge of $500. Consumer remains dissatisfied with the total amount of $648 returned.