Rental Security Deposits
I wanted to get the forum’s opinion on returning security deposits. I’ve got a tenant moving out after 3 years, & of course, I’ll be freshly painting the apartment, as I would have to legally, if they stayed and requested that. But I’m wondering about small things…these tenants hung up ALOT of things, and there…
I wanted to get the forum’s opinion on returning security deposits. I’ve got a tenant moving out after 3 years, & of course, I’ll be freshly painting the apartment, as I would have to legally, if they stayed and requested that. But I’m wondering about small things…these tenants hung up ALOT of things, and there are nails and hooks all over the ceilings and walls. Plus a door is off the hinge…would it be reasonable to just consider this wear and tear, or deduct some moderate amount from their security for the needed repairs. Just wondering what popular opinion is, because I don’t want to be petty. Thanks!
The living room in our rental apt. is loaded with historic details – a fireplace, built-ins, wood trim (almost like shelves) on each wall – and we tell tenants before they move in that they may not paint or put nails in anywhere in this room. Bedrooms and bath are fair game, but we make it clear that they’re expected to cover any holes when they leave. I think that’s fair.
I lived in apt for 15 years and when I moved out, evey last nail was removed from the wall, every hole spackled. The losse door hinge was puttied and rescrewed. Everything last dust bunny was gone. Got my full deposit back.
Don’t get me wrong, the apt. had ware, like the bathroom needing regrouting, cracked tiles replaced, every wall needing cracks plastered and repainting, etc. but those were not things that I had done to the place, that was due to the building being built in 1890 and settling plus 15 years since last major spiff up.
Tenants should make effort to fix what they can.
I am a bstone owner w/one rental unit. Since I usually do the painting and such myself, I wouldn’t charge for a little extra spackling, especially if this was the only issue. The door hinge issue, I’d probably also let go, unless it really seemed like they abused it in some unusual way. All in all, if they were otherwise a solid 3-year, no problems tenant, I would let it go. I am not much of a believer in keeping deposits except for fairly extreme and costly issues, or if they left behind a big mess.
BTW, back in my renter days, I repaired any holes I created and made sure I left the apt spotless. Never had a deposit problem.
It’s normal wear and tear.
I am a landlord and I would not charge for normal wear and tear, but just to echo the post above, back in my rental days (last year) I spackled any holes I made in the walls.
I was once a renter(moved 3 times) and I filled all the holes before I left and actually cleaned all the dustbunnies.
As a landlord, I’d say this sounds like normal wear-and-tear. I think the secret to staying sane as a landlord (especially when you’re just renting out one floor in your home — which you don’t actually say, but it sounds like the situation) is not to sweat the small stuff and not to lose the perspective of having once been a renter.
That’s normal wear and tear which you’re required to return: http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/security.html
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D61239F933A15753C1A967958260
You should count yourself lucky that you had a steady tenant for 3 years and your biggest beef is some nail holes. In short, yes, charging for that would be petty. And possibly illegal.
please – charge them for what – as a renter you should have the right to hang pictures – covering picture holes and hook holes should not be charged! – if indeed this adds a lot of cost then you should figure this into the rent. Our landlord figured in to the monthly rent repainting fees for every two years – if you stayed less than 2 years your paid for 1/2 the painting – but this was all presented in the lease when we signed – unless you put into the lease no picture hanging than it should be normal