My lease is up May 31 and I've already got the apartment empty, clean, and updated. New mini blinds even! I called the rental company and they said that I couldn't do a walk-thru with them. I said ok, but how was I supposed to know if/why I get charged for things? They said to call the last week before the 30 days to return my deposit was up and they'd let me know then. Now I've lived there for 3 years and kept the place very clean and in good condition. It has all hardwood floors, so there are some scuffs and marks, but nothing more than what I moved in with. This seems sketchy. I plan on taking lots of photos when I leave but it just feels like this is a surefire way for a rental property to take your deposit without a fight. Anyone know if this is legal or not?

5/29/2008 2:44:18 PM

The Lounge

5/29/2008 2:45:01 PM

take pics yo

[Edited on May 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM. Reason : oh read the rest of your post and saw you are gonna do that]

5/29/2008 2:45:07 PM

you should be entitled to walk though the apartment with them, especially if they plan on charging you for stuff.

what apartment is this?

thank god i don't rent anymore.

5/29/2008 2:45:28 PM

don't see anything about a walk-through: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_42/Article_6.html

hope you took move-in pictures filled out a checklist, I didn't once but got lucky with a decent slumlord I guess

5/29/2008 3:02:20 PM

http://ncsu.edu/student_affairs/legal_services/faqs/landlord-tenant.php

5/29/2008 3:08:55 PM

def. take pics. good thinking on your part with that. Also you should be entitled to attend the walk-through.

5/29/2008 3:26:38 PM

just don't pay your last rent installment and let them keep the deposit.

5/29/2008 3:26:48 PM

^I watch enough Judge Judy to know you can't do that. I've tried researching this and every article I've read says "do a walk-thru with your rental company before you leave", but what if they don't allow you to? This just seems wack

5/30/2008 8:31:17 AM

well firstly, call again and ask the same question, and ask to talk to the manager if the answer is still no.

5/30/2008 8:42:58 AM

take pictures, demand a walk through and get a written confirmation of condition of the property signed by both parties

5/30/2008 9:15:08 AM

this just helped me out guys. when I move into my apartment in august I'm going to take pictures of everything even if there is a checklist of damages. Also when I move out.

what would be suggested to prove the date of the picture? You know so if an issue does come up they can't say "Oh well she took that picture later after the damage happened to claim it was already like that"

5/30/2008 9:22:44 AM

Burn the pictures to a CD, put the CD in an envelope, seal it, and both you and manager sign and date across the seal.

It's overkill, but it works.

5/30/2008 9:24:13 AM

thanks.

5/30/2008 9:28:08 AM

Tell the manager you won't move out unless you get to do the walk through with them.

5/30/2008 9:32:15 AM

Spend the next day pissing on the floor and punching holes in the walls. You won't get your deposit back but at least you'll have a good reason why you didn't.

5/30/2008 9:56:03 AM

^hahaha

5/30/2008 10:38:30 AM

i'm already moved out of my apartment, but i haven't cleaned yet (the walkthrough is on saturday afternoon)...i left two dime/nickel-sized holes in the wall where we mounted the LCD, and the carpet has a few new stains (though they're pretty minor and may come out with resolve)

anyway, i don't have a deposit because of my rent record and my credit score, so do i care enough to really patch the wall and clean all that well? will it hurt my credit, or will they just bitch and moan about it?

5/30/2008 11:22:05 AM

both of those are normal wear and tear

you shouldnt get charged for it

5/30/2008 11:23:11 AM

^^ White drywall putty is $3 at Home Depot and takes less than a minute to fill the holes and smooth with your finger. Just do that and don't worry about painting or anything. I never had a problem going that route.

5/30/2008 11:48:09 AM

judge judy hears the cases they tell her to. i'm sure they want people to think they can't do this, so they show a lot of tv showing people get in trouble for it, but I think it's pretty standard :-/ good luck though

5/30/2008 11:51:37 AM

ah, i figured i'd do the putty, just because...but the painting was the question (they provide paint for those who did accent walls and stuff)

5/30/2008 11:59:10 AM