Getting back Apartment Security Deposit

[Guest]

Specially in the Bay area, I hear from all my friends that getting back the security deposit from the Apt is some thing like getting money in a lottery.

Recently I moved from an apt in santa clara to another apt in San Jose, after living in the santa clara apt for
6 months.
Before vacating, for the last 4 days, me and my wife spend our full time in thoroughly cleaning the apt, carpet, kitchen, Tub etc.
Finally, after 21 days of vacating we got a letter in mail, from the old apt that they inspected & our carpet, kitchen floor was not upto the mark (altho we never even spilled a drop of curry/tea on the carpet).The apt office have found several spots and strain all thro the apt & they need to change the carpet for the full apt, plus other cleaning which will cost $750.
So there is no way that they'll return my $400 advance in addition they req $350 from me. I ignored the 1st notice & now I am getting letters from the collection agency.
I was earlier staying in Mid-east and things were totally different, as per rule, there.

Is this a new type of business in the Bay area or California? Any advice how to tackle it?

[noname]

Get apartment inspection done in your presence.
You should have gone immediately to the office and
challange the claims made by the Apt. manager.

[guest]

I left the apartment in the evening & had dropped the key's in the office(since the office was closed). Next day when I went to the apt office to check if they had recieved the key's. I was informed that they have already inspected the apt & carpet condition not upto the mark. When I asked them to accompany me and show what is unacceptable, I was informed that they have already done the inspection & they don't want to accompany me & they don't want to even argue on that point.

[sanjay]

File a case in consumer courts. I have some links but i am not able to get it. will post here as soon as i gets

[esconce]

Apartment managers are notorious for this. It is up to your to protect yourself, BEFORE getting ripped off. You have some options such as:

(1) Document apartment condition when moving in. If the apartment manager fails to register your observations, make sure you make a written list and gather an acknowledgement from the managers.

(2) While moving out, make a similar list.

(3) Photograph the damages at the time of move-in and photgraph conditions when you move-out.

(4) Request your friends to visit your apartment while moving out. Let them do an informal inspection and make notes. This is useful if you decide to pursue your case in small claims court.

(5) Peer inspection. I am surprised that no one has come up with a web site to coordinate this. There are a few web sites that help tenants, but none that propose peer inspection. In short, peer inspection will involve you inspecting my apartment and I will inspect your apartment.

Remember, your apartment manager have upto 3 weeks (in California) to do the inspection. They do not have to do the inspection the same day you leave. However most apartment managers are kind enough to do the inspection with your present.

Hope this helps. Best of luck next time.

[vivekagrawal]

go to www.bbb.com .. saalon ki gaand maar lo

Saale gore desiyon ke paise chine mein baade expert hote hain ....

[Guest]

Sahi Baat hai Vivek. En Gore ha***i saalo ki aadat hi aysi hai

Saamne mitha mitha bolte hai aur peeche se chura ghopte hai.Apne personal exp se bol raha hu. Day to day life me bhi kitni baar aisa face karna parta hai

I think all my other friends also will agree on this point.

Anyway Vivek, thanks