Smoke Tree Apartments

Review: On 12-19-12, my mother [redacted] and I rented apartment [redacted] at Smoketree Apartments. It was a 6 month lease. I am reporting them for unethical business practices. Since the apartment was freshly painted we could not move in until the paint fumes settles down about 6 weeks later. Both of us are asthmatics. During this waiting period I personally cleaned the apartment completely even though it was in excellent condition. I washed out the kitchen cabinets, drawers, refrigerator and windows inside and out. I also washed the floors and vacuumed the carpets. In May 2013 my mother's health began to fail so I decided to move out ahead of time. It took 4 days to do so. The last 2 days I spent cleaning the apartment all over again. Just before I turned in the keys I brought [redacted] to to the apt. to verify that I was leaving it in excellent condition. She inspected and found all to be in good order. When I turned in the keys I asked the manager [redacted] for a walk-thru. She said she was too busy and she would di it herself in the next few days. In June I received a statement for $96 taken out for 8 hrs of cleaning. On June 26, 2013 I brought [redacted] with me and confronted [redacted]. [redacted] claimed I didn't leave it in the condition I got it. They claimed the oven was dirty. I didn't even use the oven, as I brought my own microwave. I have signed verifications from other apartments where I received credits I did not ask for for leaving the apartment so clean. I am asking for $96 from Smoketree Apartments for 8 hours of unnecessary cleaning because of the excellent condition I left it in.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Refund

A $96 refund for cleaning that was not necessary.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

On May 13, 2013 we were given notice of termination of the rental agreement, however, the lease did not end until June 18,2013. We were told that the mother of the complainant was ill and wanted to go back east to be buried, therefore, they moved out early. We offered an inspection prior to termination on 6/14/13. The tenants moved prior to that date and did not make an appointment for a final walkthrough. They brought their keys in and I did not have an opportunity to do a final walk through with them due to having a full day scheduled. Had they made an appointment, I would have been more than happy to do a walk through with them. When they turned in their keys I was told they were leaving town. I had the work performed that was necessary to bring the unit back into the condition it was in when they took possession and sent them a copy of the closing statement along with copies of the bills. I have copies of their move in report showing a clean apartment and I have copies of the offer of walk through etc. I would have been more than happy to do as many walk throughs as was necessary so that they could have received their full deposit back as I have done this in past with many tenants, however, they did not make an appointment to do so. I feel that we have been as fair as possible in this situation and would be more than happy to send copies of the file should it be necessary but I do not want to attach it to a public forum for all to see as I do not want to violate the privacy of the complainant. Please feel free to email me at [redacted]@aim.com if you would like the documentation that I have referenced above