Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Charged Cleaning Fees for Moving In

I just moved into my apartment and

was told I would need to pay a

cleaning fee. The old tenant had paid

that cleaning fee out of his security

deposit and we never asked for the

apartment to be specially cleaned.

Can they charge us for a cleaning

fee, as well as the old tenant when

we never specificially asked for it?


Asked on 9/01/07, 2:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

Re: Charged Cleaning Fees for Moving In

You are starting with the landlord(s) from hell.

No!..You don't pay a cleaning fee when you move in. Also, the landlord(s) may have acted illegally by even taking it out of old tenant's deposit.

You are facing nothing but problems in this residence.

It might be worth having an attorney write this cheapskate and put him on notice that you will not only not pay this fee, but that you will fight him every step of the way when he violates state law.

Be prepared for a difficult rental situation.

Good luck! E-mail, or call, my office if you need more.

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Answered on 9/01/07, 2:48 pm


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