I need advice on what are my course of actions to the above situation . My leasing sent me a ledger within 5 days of move out of 375 dollars and only 75 dollars is utility and rest is cleaning fee . I had cleaned the apartment professionally at move out and submitted the receipts to leasing however they still charged it . I have videos of a clean move out apartment . They sent me to collections within 3 days of sending the ledger and are not responding to any emails or calls . They aren’t responding to emails with evidences of the charges put on my account . I have disputed the charges with collections and submitted all the evidences of the apartment . The apartment has been doing fraudulent charges to many people hence there has been mass move out at this community this year . They had towed my registered vehicle from the property and then asked me to pay storage of 380 dollars . Although this time I’m not ready to bear these fraudulent charges , I definitely need to know my legal options . I have emailed the bbb about it and awaiting the response Also I know about claims court . I don’t have tenants association emails or anything to kind of cc people . Anyone who has faced similar situations any suggestion please
Is it really worth your time
Thinking about this I did pay when they towed my vehicle despite of being a registered vehicle while I was on a vacation so I cannot pay such huge amounts again
BBB is a waste of time. Like leaving a Google or Yelp review. $300 is not worth collections or damaging credit. Should have left the apartment uncleaned since they were going to charge it anyway. Also, TC or GTFO! 🤣
BBB is boomer yelp
So I paid 200 dollars to clean the apartment since they told me late they will charge a 75 dollars flat fee however they did not keep the promise instead charged me 275 dollars for cleaning
Does your lease say anything about a cleaning fee? Did you pay a cleaning fee when you moved in? I'd ask for documentation that the cleaning actually cost that much; they can't charge you more than they paid. They also can't charge you a cleaning fee unless it was clearly disclosed, going by the Texas Tenant Advisor website.
Check your lease agreement. It doesn’t matter how hard you clean some properties charge by default painting and carpet cleaning.
Take them to small claims court. If you bring paperwork and make a decent case, you'll win. I've seen a friend do it successfully to her landlord when he decided to be predatory.
This
This, you can also often contact your local congress person or city council to report them. In your case probably won’t do much of anything, but if other neighbors do the same it won’t go well for the landlords
Did you have renter's insurance?
Yes I do
Ask them for their assistance. They may have a fund for this where your landlord can file a claim to that money to get it from the insurance company rather than from you USAA helped with their $1000 good neighbor policy when my landlord tried to blame me for damages that were just wear and tear