deposit money and moving out

[Dranio]

I wasn't sure if the legal banner was the right one to use but used it anyway.

Basically, since late July, my bathtub has 'backed up' multiple times. Backed up is in quotes for a reason which I'll dictate in a minute. this last time it started around the end of august, when I went to pay my rent, I told the landlord about it, as usual, but also mentioned that I had no intention of cleaning it again, throwing up int he process because of the nasty smell and such. This time however, they never sent over a plumber to unclog the drain like the other times. Not that I care, I'm moving out at the end of this month weather I find a new apartment or have to go back to my mother's basement till I do.

Now, when I say backed up, first thing to note is the plumbing in this building should probably be replaced. What comes up isn't simply dirty water and dirt. I actually get toe nail clippings, food (yes, food, I've seen corn flakes, fruit loops, green peas/beans and carrots, among other stuff). Note that I do not buy any of that food I listed, only vegetable I buy is broccoli, and I only buy life cereal.

The clogged drain has also already been determined not to be my fault, if that has any bearing on it.

My question is this: What are my chances of getting my deposit back when I do move out? I could use that money later.

This is the first apartment I've lived in since I moved out on my own so I've been here a while, paid rent on time every month, except for the last 2 because of money issues, to which I paid the $25 late fee. Don't think that has a bearing on it though.

I realize ultimately I'll have to discuss this with my landlord, but I thought I'd ask here in case anyone has an answer before I go to turn in my key to the landlord and discuss it with them.

[friedfunk]

Probably too late for this since you're moving out anyway, but you can withhold rent for essential repairs that are not being completed.

When you say that the drain is not your fault, do you have this in writing from your landlord? If not, I doubt you'll see your damage deposit back.

[wyrmtung]

Yeah, if you have it in writing then you should have no problem.

The trick to getting most of your deposit back is to clean the crap out of your apartment. Especially the kitchen and oven. That's where most charges occur. Also, a lot of apartment complexes will provide you with touchup paint for free to fix any stains on the walls or doors.

If you are concerned with what they are going to ding you then do a preliminary walkthrough like a week or two before your moveout. This will give you enough time to correct anything they notice.

[archibaldcrane]

Yeah, if you have it in writing then you should have no problem.

The trick to getting most of your deposit back is to clean the crap out of your apartment. Especially the kitchen and oven. That's where most charges occur. Also, a lot of apartment complexes will provide you with touchup paint for free to fix any stains on the walls or doors.

If you are concerned with what they are going to ding you then do a preliminary walkthrough like a week or two before your moveout. This will give you enough time to correct anything they notice.

Great advice here. Usually you get most if not all of it back if you clean the place well upon moving out and haven't obviously broken anything.

[Masenko]

It helps to make a video tape of the day you move in and the day you move out (after cleaning) so you can prove everything is at least in the same condition as you found it. Every time landlords have tried to keep a deposit for some bullshit like carpet cleaning (which is every damn time in a college town), I just inform them I have a before and after video, and they give me my money.

[Ddz]

It sounds like they have a serious sewer/drain backup. A similar situation happened to me in the spring time and, as it turns out, the tree out front's roots had grown INTO our pipe system, severely blocking it. Couldn't use the washing machine, toilet, or shower until fixed...debris and stuff would just flood up through the shower Luckily my landlord got right on it and it was fixed within a few days. You should not have to pay rent for any day in which you cannot use your living space to the fullest functional degree. Document everything, and don't pay until it's fixed.