The Ridge Apartments

Review: I am submitting this complaint because The Ridge management failed to return my full rent deposit after leaving the unit in excellent condition.

When I received only a partial refund of my deposit (less than 50%), I was baffled by some of the charges on my move out statement. First of all I was charged $130 to have the apartment professionally cleaned. I don't see what there would have been for a professional cleaner to clean up? Upon moving my belongings out of the unit, I spent a full day with help to meticulously clean every inch of the unit, including scrubbing walls, floors, bathrooms, inside each drawer and cabinet, and appliances. Not a single piece of debris was left behind when I moved out. I completely do not agree with the necessity of the $130 charge for professional cleaning.

I even steam cleaned the carpet. It wasn't until after I cleaned and moved out completely that I received the notice in my mail box regarding the requirement to have the unit professionally steam cleaned - which I also do not agree with because in any rental unit I have lived in the past this was always the responsibility of the management and not the tenant. And I don't believe I was made aware of this requirement upon moving in and putting the initial deposit, but rather caught by surprise upon moving out and was charged another $70 for cleaning an already clean carpet.

I was also charged $70 charge for 2 full gallons of paint for touch ups. There were only three small areas in the unit with very minor marker marks left by my children, but absolutely would not require two whole gallons of paint and two hours of labor - two gallons of paint could cover two full bedrooms!

In every rental I have ever lived in the past, I took great care to ensure the unit was left in immaculate condition, and always received my full deposit back. I feel that aside from the minor bleach spots on the carpet and few marker spots in the kids room, that my unit at The Ridge was left in like-new condition, and the charges against me are almost an insult and should be the responsibility of the [redacted]. I had e-mailed the [redacted] and requested an additional refund of $270 or an explanation of the charges, and the [redacted] stood firm on their decision and sent me photocopied black and white photo "evidence" of why they needed to charge my $130 for a full cleaning which included a photo of dust in the top crack of my refrigerator door, a small dried spill at the bottom of the oven and stove, and three very small nail holes from a picture frame that was not spackled. They didn't explain the need for two gallons of paint and why I wasn't informed upon move-in about the steam cleaning requirement. The apartment was left in excellent condition however the [redacted]'s unreasonable and impossible expectations make it practically impossible for even the cleanest most careful tenant to receive a full refund.

Desired Settlement: Additional refund of my rent deposit $270 because it was unreasonable to require a professional FULL cleaning of an already meticulously clean apartment, require the tenant to pay for out-of-pocket for professional steam cleaning when this was not noted upon move-in, and the lack of explanation for the purchase of two full gallons of paint.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

Thank you for your communication regarding your deposit refund. While I can understand your frustration, I must point out that move outs are something that we document with great care and accuracy. The apartment was photographed and documented after you moved out. I explained in the letter that was sent that there were several areas of the apartment requiring cleaning as well as several holes, scratch marks, crayon marks and dents/ dings in the wall that required painting that reached beyond normal wear and tear. This is why additional monies were charged for painting. The carpet cleaning, outlined in the letter that is sent out to all vacating residents, stated that you are welcome to have the carpet professionally cleaned by a licensed and insured professional carpet cleaner, or we would complete that ourselves at a nominal charge. If you had it professionally cleaned by a licensed and insured carpet contractor, and can provide a receipt for the work done, I would be able to have that portion refunded. However, we stand firm on all other cleaning and paint charges.

Sent on: 9/9/2013 4:39:06 PM