Old landlord looking for money in damages

[Xanque]

What is the name of your state? PA

My ex-Girlfriend and I were renting an apartment that we left when the term of the lease was up in November of 2002. We don't owe any backrent . Just a couple weeks ago ( almost 2 years later) my Ex started recieving mail addressed to me at her address saying that the rental company is looking for $1100 for damages to the apartment and maintanence for moving stuff out that we left behind.

There were a couple of dog stains on the carpeting but they were light as my ex was good about washing them out with the carpet shampooer that we owned. There was a small 1 inch by 1/2 inch DENT not a hole in the ceiling from when we tried moving something in and we struck the ceiling.

When we moved we DID leave a couch and a loveseat along with the wooden frame to our King sized waterbed (already dismantled) along with some other things.

NOW they're contacting me trying to get another $1100 in ADDITION to the $455 Security deposti which they KEPT for something that in my opinon the Sec dep should have covered any damages and I can see maybe paying another couple hundred for the cleaning of the apt after we left. I feel that this figure they came up with is in error. What can I do ?

 

[FarmerJ]

Pet urine causes permanent damage to carpet and the floors under . shampooing DOESNT get rid of pet urine , when you left furniture behind what did you think was going to happen to it ? likely SOMEONE was paid to dispose of it , many garbage haulers add on fees for furniture . dry wall damage even if accidental had to be repaired too . it all adds up , so see if you can get them to negotiate a lower amount , other wise pay it up because if they succeed in getting a judgment it will screw with your credit .

 

[dequeendistress]

Did you happen to leave in the middle of the night?

 

[JETX]

"What can I do ?"
*** The answer to that question depends on other issues.
First, PA law requires that the landlord give the tenant a list of the claimed damages within 30 days of surrendering the property. Did the landlord do this??
If not, then the landlord loses any rights to pursue any damages.

 

[dequeendistress]

Jet--what if the tenants vacated without notice and without forwarding address?

I know you don't like what if questions, but I have a feeling...I know it was posted that they left when lease terms were up, but would they still not have to provide a forwarding address also.

 

[JETX]

"Jet--what if the tenants vacated without notice and without forwarding address?"
*** 'Notice' is not required at the end of a lease term.

A review of PA §250.512 doesn't mention a requirement for tenant to provide a forwarding address. The landlord would comply by sending to their last known address and letting USPS forward it. Even if it is returned as undeliverable, that would go a LONG way to helping the landlord show the court.

For the statute, go to:
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/ppd/bcp/PDF/landlord_tenant_act.pdf

 

[Xanque]

We paid up till Nov. 1st but moved into the new house a few days earlier. I lived with my ex at the new house for 6 months without recieving any word from the old rental co. Yes, we did put in a change of address and should have received SOMETHING from them, IF anything was sent to begin with. Over a year later , my ex received a notice from them and recently sent the final notice (my ex didn't want to see me) to me.

So as it stands right now, should I just tell the rental co. that I was informed that they have no case against me because they waited too long ? I have no problem paying a couple hundred more for the dump fee and transport of the stuff left behind .

Should I just tell the rental co. that I'd be willing to pay the costs of transport and dump providing they give me a reciept showing that that's how much they paid ? Then , as far as damages are concerned , they waited too long and have nothing to prove that the damages are the amount that they say they are ?

Jet, please tell me that your positively SURE that your aware of the law that you had previously stated. I hope you live in PA or practiced in Pa because I surely don't want to look like a fool if I contest this.

Thank you all for all your help , especially you Jet.

 

[dequeendistress]

 

[JETX]

"Jet, please tell me that your positively SURE that your aware of the law that you had previously stated."
*** Did you even LOOK at the link I provided in my post??? If you did, you would have seen that the link is directly from the PA Attorney General!!!

"I hope you live in PA or practiced in Pa because I surely don't want to look like a fool if I contest this."
*** I don't, but that is why I provided the LINK for YOU to read and confirm. Geeeeze.... I can't do EVERYTHING for you!!!

 

[HomeGuru]

Is spoonfeeding needed here?

 

[dequeendistress]

Possibly some crayons?

 

[HomeGuru]

It's nap time.

 

[robert.knepp]

"What can I do ?"
*** The answer to that question depends on other issues.
First, PA law requires that the landlord give the tenant a list of the claimed damages within 30 days of surrendering the property. Did the landlord do this??
If not, then the landlord loses any rights to pursue any damages.

I only wish 'statute' helped me. I also live in PA. I gave 30 days written notice along with written address on the day I moved out.

I called for about 5 weeks to get a written list of damages, with no luck. So I sued the landlord for my security deposit 45 days after moving out. They countersued and won because the judge said that the statute is their to prevent crooked landlords, not tenants who do damages (which I admitted to during the court hearing... why the hell did I want the list in the first place!).

The landlord/tenant world is very currupt and biased towards landlords (I can't wait to see the attack from HG and others about this post). Of course that is the way of our country and it's law system in general so I'd rather have this currupt system than no law at all!

For tenants, it comes down to knowing ahead of time what to do. It's easy enough to do, so why not just do it! Sames goes for landlords who have no idea what a landlord does.

Oh, and if you make under $25000/year I wouldn't even post on these forums. You'll be labelled a redneck trailer trash hippie before they even get to your question...

Whoa... -rant mode disabled-

Sry... couldn't help myself.

 

[HomeGuru]

It's knepp time.

 

[dequeendistress]

Whew I made well above the income limit