Repairs taken out of Security

[devlin]

What is the name of your state? PA

I was fortunate enough to get most of my security deposit back after moving out of a rental unit, however, the what the landlord deducted he provided no receipts for, just a list and I am not arguing the things on the list, however, the charges seem excessive ($95 to replace a key). Should I request receipts before cashing the check? Is he legally required to produce a receipt showing actual costs?

Thank you in advance!

 

[xylene]

What is the name of your state? PA

I was fortunate enough to get most of my security deposit back after moving out of a rental unit, however, the what the landlord deducted he provided no receipts for, just a list and I am not arguing the things on the list, however, the charges seem excessive ($95 to replace a key). Should I request receipts before cashing the check? Is he legally required to produce a receipt showing actual costs?

Thank you in advance!

Are the charges specified in the lease?

For instance I live in a rental that thought the stove drip pans were worth $40... EACH.

That was in the lease...

95$ for lock service is very high.

 

[devlin]

No, the charges are not specified in the lease....

She also wanted the grass cut, which was done about a week before we moved, the grass measured 3 inches or less in most areas, therefore we did not cut it. It is not in our lease that it has to be cut before we leave, however, we were charged $50 for lawn care.

The total charges look like this:
$50 - lawn care
$95 - Locksmith to replace a lock (the key was a skeleton key, which I am thinking one of the kids played with and lost, I never even knew it was there).

Thanks!

 

[danno6925]

Did they refuse?

Is there a lawncare clause in the lease? If so, read very carefully whether or not there is a time/height restriction on it. Once a week in the summer months, or to a height of not more than 4 inches...etc.

Read your lease line by line to determine if there is a key clause stating she will charge you 95.00 for lost keys. This could be for re-keying the lock so that the old one would no longer work. That could very well be 95.00 or more to get a locksmith to make new keys.
But unless those keys were made from solid gold, I think you got hosed.

Yes, before you cash the check you should ask for receipts. Dispute the lawncare fee only if there is no stipulation in the lease. The keys on the other hand may be a different story. If they were a dollar apiece, and she had 95 made, looks like you might have to foot the bill for this.

I am NOT a lawyer. I have worked in Pennsylvania title insurance since 2000.

 

[abstract99]

I just made copies of keys for my apartment bacause I lost my copy and it cost me like $2.00 to do it at ace hardware.

 

[BL]

My lease states a $10.00 charge for lost or replacement keys , which isn't unreasonable .

The LL here might have changed locks or cylinders , being cautious that you may have a set , or later find the keys , and some LLs make it a habit of changing cylinders when a tenant moves out anyways .

 

[abstract99]

My lease states a $10.00 charge for lost or replacement keys , which isn't unreasonable .

The LL here might have changed locks or cylinders , being cautious that you may have a set , or later find the keys , and some LLs make it a habit of changing cylinders when a tenant moves out anyways .

Even then wouldn't it have to be in the lease? In my last apartment I had a clause in my lease stating that the locks would be changed once we moved out and that it would cost $25 which could be paid either in cash or taken out of the deposit. However, I know thta my landlord here does change the locks after every tennant but cannot charge them for it because it is not in the lease.

 

[devlin]

letting it go...

I have just let the whole matter go. Yes, she took out too much. The key was probably for the whole lock, who knows. I expected her to find anything she could to take out money, but was actually pleasantly surprised to find she had only taken out under $200, even if it is bogus. I guess if she needs the money that bad she is welcome to it, maybe she is saving for a personality transplant I am just happy to be rid of her!!!