before you worry too much, try steam cleaning the carpets because it gets a lot out. you might want to set aside a couple days to go over it twice if it hasnt been kept clean.
I can't give you exact numbers or anything, but you're kinda right. I don't think that there's anything on the books that says "Carpets last five years, after that, it's a free for all." But... I do think (know?) that they can only charge you for the expected life/pro-rated cost of the carpet or something like that. Say, if the expected life of the carpets are seven years and they only lasted five and now they have to be replaced 'cause you stained them or something, you only have to pay for the remaining two years of value, not the entire new carpets. But, ya, I don't know for sure... I'd imagine that you'd have a pretty good argument as far as the repainting goes-- three years is about right on the lifespan of apartment paint, and that's assuming it was freshly painted when you moved in...
I just moved out of my apartment in February. The carpets are 3 years, at least that's what that manager told me. I got my whole security deposit back because of all the cleaning I did though.
I just left my apartment the other day and I should of steam cleaned the carpet but everything else was spotless but hey, the move out inspection showed I should get most of my security back minus a basic carpet cleaning.
There aren't really hard and fast rules, just guidelines and it's not really written down. Nolo Law might publish some books with useful information. It really boils down to extremes
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In general - RCW says you have to restore the place to its original condition except for "reasonable wear and tear" or conditions caused by the landlord not doing their thing. Walls needing to be painted is normal wear and tear (I can't find RCW or City of Seattle code, but I've seen something about after 6-12 months, you can't charge tenant to repaint). Patching/spackling holes is not normal wear and tear - you have to patch holes yourself.
Also, if you were charged a nonrefundable cleaning fee, you cannot have anything withheld from the deposit for normal cleaning.
The best thing you can do is have them do the walkthrough with you and keep a copy. The management company may roll their own later, but if you have a signed one from the local property manager, you can beat back any new charges.
Yes, we got just about all of it! You did an awesome job with the cleaning.
The one thing Colleen kept some of the deposit for was ripping out the carpet from the back basement room. Picard had peed in it a few times after he evolved into a raging tuft of fury, and the various treatments we used didn't get the smell out. She didn't, however, charge us for new carpet or its installation. I thought it was fair.
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Also, if you were charged a nonrefundable cleaning fee, you cannot have anything withheld from the deposit for normal cleaning.
The best thing you can do is have them do the walkthrough with you and keep a copy. The management company may roll their own later, but if you have a signed one from the local property manager, you can beat back any new charges.
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The one thing Colleen kept some of the deposit for was ripping out the carpet from the back basement room. Picard had peed in it a few times after he evolved into a raging tuft of fury, and the various treatments we used didn't get the smell out. She didn't, however, charge us for new carpet or its installation. I thought it was fair.
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