u/Kitchen_Olive_1591

ETA/UPDATE: The first few commenters said the landlord can sue the tenants for the cost of cleaning the place, in addition to taking the security deposit. No need to repeat that comment but we welcome additional input. Thank you all very much for the answers.

---------------------------------------.

ASKING FOR A FRIEND Seriously, this isn't me. Friends of a family member are renters in Mass. They're aging and not in great health.

They've paid rent on time for the 10 years of their lease. The house older and in slightly rough condition when they moved in, but they've been low-scale hoarders and kept a pretty messy home, which attracted mice.

For this and some other general maintenance items, I personally doubt they're expecting their security deposit back whenever they move out.

I've spent a bit of time helping my family member help their friends clean, but it's more than a few friends & family can really do, and is probably a situation where they'll need to move out their key belongings, then hire someone to load everything left behind into a dumpster.

So my question: We've been discussing hiring someone to help clean the place out nor or whenever they move. Or hiring a dumpster ourselves at that point. But, is another option to simply walk away and knowingly forfeit the security deposit?

Personally, it's not how I conduct things in my life, but then again, it's not my personal business, I'm not a hoarder, and I quickly try to catch and prevent mice whenever I have one.

Is walking away an option for these aging folks rather than trying to figure out how to clean it all up? [Location: Central Massachusetts, USA]

TLDR:

• Is there any way a 2012 Prius with 40,000 miles would need brakes?
• Also, if it needs brakes, is there any way this would be a risk of a brake-failure / emergency? Or just the beginning of a gradual decline braking capability?
• Any reason not to just wait until she feels a change in the brake pedal or stopping distance? Or hears noises from the brakes?

Details:

My aunt is older and able to drive ok, but mostly only drives to doctor appointments and an occasional lunch with friends. Mostly suburban type driving but plenty of stop-lights.

She lives in a warm climate (no road salt) in the Southern US. She has a 2012 Prius with only 40,000 miles, most of which I think was before Covid. Now she drives maybe 10-20 miles per week, and sometimes goes a couple weeks without driving it.

She recently got an oil change and new tires. The dealership also told her she needs brakes. The service recommendation just says, "Rear brake job with rotor replacement $400.

And "Lifetime Front brakes $500".

No need to suggest she go to a mechanic other than the dealer. She doesn't get out much and I don't think she's up for seeking more quotes, unfortunately, nor does she want to sit in a dingy auto-shop waiting room. ( I guess one benefit is dealers have slightly nicer waiting areas).

She says that from what she can tell driving it, the brakes work fine. There is no squeaking or noises. She might call the dealer service manager back and ask for clarifications (like, how thick are remaining pads, and why there are 2 rear brake quotes), but as you can imagine, she doesn't really want to spend time on the phone with the service manager.

AI and the internet say it shouldn't need brakes, but could/maybe/possibly if there was a lot of corrosion. That makes sense to me, but also doesn't sound like an urgent $1500 need. I'd just drive it til there's another symptom. But that's just me. (I'd also bring it to an independent mechanic, but that's not her desire). Appreciate your thoughts.

ETA: Soon after I posted this she sent me the email from the dealer service dept so I clarified the rear brake pricing.

TLDR:

• Is there any way a 2012 Prius with 40,000 miles would need brakes?
• Also, if it needs brakes, is there any way this would be a risk of a brake-failure / emergency? Or just the beginning of a gradual decline braking capability?
• Any reason not to just wait until she feels a change in the brake pedal or stopping distance? Or hears noises from the brakes?

DETAILS:

My aunt is older and able to drive ok, but mostly only drives to doctor appointments and an occasional lunch with friends. Mostly suburban type driving but plenty of stop-lights.

She lives in a warm climate (no road salt) in the Southern US. She has a 2012 Prius with only 40,000 miles, most of which I think was before Covid. Now she drives maybe 10-20 miles per week, and sometimes goes a couple weeks without driving it.

She recently got an oil change and new tires. The dealership also told her she needs brakes. The service recommendation just says, "Rear brake job with rotor replacement $400.

And "Lifetime Front brakes $500".

No need to suggest she go to a mechanic other than the dealer. She doesn't get out much and I don't think she's up for seeking more quotes, unfortunately, nor does she want to sit in a dingy auto-shop waiting room. ( I guess one benefit is dealers have slightly nicer waiting areas).

She says that from what she can tell driving it, the brakes work fine. There is no squeaking or noises. She might call the dealer service manager back and ask for clarifications (like, how thick are remaining pads, and why there are 2 rear brake quotes), but as you can imagine, she doesn't really want to spend time on the phone with the service manager.

AI and the internet say it shouldn't need brakes, but could/maybe/possibly if there was a lot of corrosion. That makes sense to me, but also doesn't sound like an urgent $1500 need. I'd just drive it til there's another symptom. But that's just me. (I'd also bring it to an independent mechanic, but that's not her desire). Appreciate your thoughts.

ETA: Soon after I posted this she sent me the email from the dealer service dept so I clarified the rear brake pricing.