Location: US-VA
Got a lot of heat on my other post but…
[US-VA] Is this an air-tight lease?
Recently moved out and owner is saying I am on the hook for additional cleaning charges that could range from $350-$700! Property was brand new and I am the only tenant for past 3 years. Always paid rent on time, some months even earlier than was due. Maintained the home, including the absurd professional cleaning requirements to provide receipts for gutters, dryer vent, and carpet steam. Now he is saying the place needs to be entirely clean just as he gave it to me.
I told him he gave me a brand new house that of course was pristine but for me to return it the exact same manner, is unreasonable. I didn’t leave it filthy at all but he is hyper fixated on baseboards, wall marks that need painting, and yard not being mulched or landscaped to perfection. I stated that professional cleaning to that level was not a lease requirement and I did put in good faith efforts to clean the entire home to an overall decent condition (pics provided below).
He has a hefty security deposit of mine and is seeking to sell the house, listing it a week after my move out. I feel he is being nitpicky because he is trying to sell fast and doesn’t want to lift a finger to clean. I thought a standard turnover cleaning is on the owner/seller, not tenant?
Furthermore, I already did his dirty work by having gutters, dryer vent, and carpets steam cleaned by a professional. He literally wants to reap all the benefits without accounting for seller’s/landlord’s expenses of cleaning turnover.
I am waiting for an itemized list of all things he claims will be deducted from my security deposit, but I plan to escalate this to small claims court. Is this outrageous??