Harley C Douglass Inc

Review: I recived excess charges on an apratment I rented for 3 years. I left the apartment in good shape, the owner is trying to charge me 460 dollars for misc. charges. Upon moving in to this apartment I placed a 400 dollar "redecorating fee" this fee should cover the basic wear and tear of normal living for a 3 year period. The 400 dollar fee is none-refundable, HARLEY DOUGLAS INC, practices very poor faith actions like trying to charge me for a heater knob that is missing, they never had put it on to begin with,they try to charge me for small scraps and walls and try to get me to pay for new blinds when they are fine. The problem with this is they want the place to be brand new again, however it can only be brand new once, such is life. I returned the apartment in good shape, cleaned and vacumed it even though I payed 400 upon moving in, knowing that is was none refundable. I HIGHLEY DOUBT any pictures would prove anything other than what I am saying. The expectations of HARLEY DOUGLAS INC are a little rediculous. THIS IS BAD BUISNESS PRACTICE in my opionion, im sure they see it another way, trying to get the renter to pay to remodel your place would be nice but its unfair.Desired Settlement: Please stop trying to take advantage of people, their is enough of that in this world already be grateful for what you have and remain humble treat people as you like to be. Don't find a loophole or an easy way for quick cash, dont ask for money that you did not work for.

Business

Response:

[redacted] M. [redacted] became a tenant of The Timbers August 30, 2009. [redacted] M. [redacted] was the first tenant to reside in the apartment located at [redacted]. Before [redacted] took occupancy of this apartment, the apartment had gone through many inspections and a property condition walk through. The inspections were conducted by building inspectors, the owners, the project manager and myself. The property condition walkthrough was conducted by [redacted] M. [redacted] and myself This apartment was not only a brand new apartment, but also through all these inspections it was a completely ready to move in apartment; including all heaters did have knobs on them.

Upon moving out, [redacted] M. [redacted] did not show up for the scheduled property condition check out that he had scheduled with us. About one hour before his scheduled appointment, [redacted] called the leasing office and left a voicemail asking if I could come right now to conduct the walk through and if not, he would just leave the keys in the apartment and I would have to do the walkthrough on my own. in conducting the walk through, I found and took pictures of the following:

1. The blinds on the balcony door were bent in various areas and the lower bracket to secure the blind was missing. I do have this bent up blind in the leasing office.

2. Two of the by-pass closet doors, the living room coat closet and guest bedroom, were scratched up / paint removed along the top of the doors.

3. The cadet heater, at the bottom of the stairs, was missing the control knob.

4. The shower head in the master bathroom was missing parts.

5. The tenant had drilled four holes in the bottom panel of the upper cabinet to the left of the kitchen sink.

6. There was excessive patching/texturing of the walls throughout the apartment.

7. I also found pet hair in the apartment and our carpet cleaner confirmed that the tenant did have a pet. We have a documented letter from our carpet cleaner stating that a pet was kept in this apartment.

Pictures and documentation from the carpet cleaner are available upon request.

[redacted] M. [redacted]'s lease agreement clearly states the following about the non-refundabie

redecorating fee, the property condition report and our pet policy/pet violation charge.

7. NON-REFUNDABLE REDECORATING FEE: The sum of$_400.0G_ paid in advance by Lessee is a non-refundable redecorating fee. This fee does not cover damage to the property or repairs necessary to restore the property to its pre-lease condition. This fee does not cover any rents, fees, costs or attorneys fees due from Lessee. No interest is paid to Lessee on said non-refundable fee.

9. PROPERTY CONDITION REPORT: Manager shall complete a Property Condition Report at possession on the leased apartment prior to occupancy by Lessee and Lessee shall review and execute the same prior to occupancy. Lessee shall be responsible for any damages not listed on said Property Condition Report at possession. Said Property Condition Report is made a part of this lease. Lesseeby the execution of this lease and the Property Condition Report accept al! items listed as being in good, serviceable condition as set forth in said report, lessee must use customary diligence in maintaining the apartment and common areas. Lessee wifi notify the management immediately of excess moisture problems (ie: water leakage, leaking pipes or plumbing, leaking tubs, showers or running toilets). Unless authorized by statute or by Lessor in writing, Lessee must not perform any repairs, painting, wallpapering, carpeting, electrical changes, or otherwise alter Lessor's property. No holes or stickers are allowed inside or outside the apartment. Lessor will permit a reasonable number of small nail holes for hanging pictures on sheet rock walls. No antennas, additional phone or TV-cable outlets, alarm systems, or lock changes, additions, or rekeying is permitted unless statutorily allowed or Lessor consented in writing. Lessee agrees not to alter, damage or remove Lessor property, including alarm systems, smoke detectors, furniture, telephone and cable TV wiring, screens, locks, and security devices. When Lessee moves in, all light bulbs in fixtures Landlord furnishes, are working, lessee shall replace all bulbs at their expense with same wattage bulbs. Lessee improvements to the apartment (whether or not Landlord’s consent) become Lessor's unless, tessee/iLessor agree otherwise in writing.

25. PETS/ANIMALS: No pets are allowed (even temporarily) anywhere in the apartment or apartment community, except for support animals of disabled persons, The provisions of this Lease apply to support animals and all mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, rodents and insects —regardless of whether Lessee consider the animal a "pet". Lessee must not feed stray animals. If Lessee or any guest or occupant violates pet restrictions, Lessee will be subject to charges, damages, eviction, and other remedies provided in this Lease. If a pet or animal has been in the apartment at any time during your term of occupancy (with or without our consent), Lessor will charge Lessee for defleaing, deodorizing, shampooing, replacement of carpet, pad, tack strip and sealing floors for odor control, and all damages caused by pet or animal. Lessee will be charged a pet violation charge; Initial charge $200.00 PLUS a per day charge of $20.00.

After receiving [redacted] M. [redacted]'s move-out notice, I did send a letter to [redacted] that was mailed to him 22 days before he was to vacate his apartment. The letter stated the following:

Please refer to your lease agreement and oddendums, but as a reminder, you are responsible for any damage to the apartment, any burnt out light bulbs and the drip pans if they will not come clean. If the drip pans will not come clean or if you have any light bulbs burnt out, to avoid extra charges, I would recommend you replace these before you vacate. You will find drip pans at Home Depot or Wal-Mart for less then what we would charge you for if we were to replace them.

Please refer to Addendum D - Pricelist. When purchasing drip pans, make sure they are black and they are meant for Hot Point ranges. If you have caused any damage to the apartment or you are unsure if something wouid be considered damage, please call ahead of time to discuss

As we approach your move-out date, please call to schedule your property condition walk through and to turn in your keys and garage remote. If you have any questions, please calf 464-4959.

We charged the tenant $460.31. This amount included a $200.00 Pet Violation Charge. The balance of $260.31 was the amount it cost to repair the above listed damage including parts, labor and sales tax. These charges are in accordance of the tenants lease agreement.

I recived excess charges on an apratment I rented for 3 years. I left the apartment in good shape, the owner is trying to charge me 460 dollars for misc. charges. Upon moving in to this apartment I placed a 400 dollar "redecorating fee" this fee should cover the basic wear and tear of normal living for a 3 year period. The 400 dollar fee is none-refundable, HARLEY DOUGLAS INC, practices very poor faith actions like trying to charge me for a heater knob that is missing, they never had put it on to begin with,they try to charge me for small scraps and walls and try to get me to pay for new blinds when they are fine. The problem with this is they want the place to be brand new again, however it can only be brand new once, such is life. I returned the apartment in good shape, cleaned and vacumed it even though I payed 400 upon moving in, knowing that is was none refundable. I HIGHLEY DOUBT any pictures would prove anything other than what I am saying. The expectations of HARLEY DOUGLAS INC are a little rediculous. THIS IS BAD BUISNESS PRACTICE in my opionion, im sure they see it another way, trying to get the renter to pay to remodel your place would be nice but its unfair.