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  1. #1

    Default Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Maryland.

    I was reading 802.1 for Maryland regarding landlord/tenant law specifical Security Deposits. I'm trying to find any indication that personal labor can be charged by the landlord for repairing a dwelling due to damage done by the tenant. Does anyone know if there is a prohibition on this?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    If you didn't find it prohibited in the landlord tenant statute then it's not prohibited.

    However, whether he can prevail in court with those charges depends on how much he's charging for his own labor and how he justifies the time spent on the repairs.

    How much is he charging you for what?

    Be specific and I might be able to give an idea if the charges are reasonable or not.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    Quote Quoting adjusterjack
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    If you didn't find it prohibited in the landlord tenant statute then it's not prohibited.

    However, whether he can prevail in court with those charges depends on how much he's charging for his own labor and how he justifies the time spent on the repairs.

    How much is he charging you for what?

    Be specific and I might be able to give an idea if the charges are reasonable or not.
    Pretty much the last tenant left the unit in a horribly nasty condition. Stains in carpet, clogged sinks, dirty everything!!!! I spent several days (1, 2, 3, 4th of May) around 10 - 12 hours each day cleaning the carpet, walls, blinds, windows etc.... There was dried up dog urine under the fridge and rat feces under the fridge as well. Food residues and I had to haul away several loads of trash to the dump.

    Anyway I was thinking of a $25.00 per hour rate (something like that) for the cleaning/repair/unclogging etc...

    I took several detailed pictures of the damages/filth and it is very revealing of how poor condition the property was inn.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    It would have been helpful to get a quote from a cleaning service, to help substantiate your assertion that your charges were reasonable. Did you photograph everything?

  5. #5

    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    It would have been helpful to get a quote from a cleaning service, to help substantiate your assertion that your charges were reasonable. Did you photograph everything?
    I photographed everything!!!!!!!!!

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    Quote Quoting steppinthrax
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    Pretty much the last tenant left the unit in a horribly nasty condition. Stains in carpet, clogged sinks, dirty everything!!!! I spent several days (1, 2, 3, 4th of May) around 10 - 12 hours each day cleaning the carpet, walls, blinds, windows etc.... There was dried up dog urine under the fridge and rat feces under the fridge as well. Food residues and I had to haul away several loads of trash to the dump.

    Anyway I was thinking of a $25.00 per hour rate (something like that) for the cleaning/repair/unclogging etc...
    10 hrs x 4 days = 40 hrs x 25 = $1000.
    12 hrs x 4 days = 48 hrs x 25 = $1200

    I think if you got sued for it, it wouldn't hold up in court because a professional cleaning service would have taken less time and not only would have charged less but you don't get to charge professional rates.

    You might want to rethink what you are going to charge.

    How much of a security deposit are you holding?

    PS: Your experience is a good argument for picking up rent personally every month so you can get a look at how the tenant is taking care of the property.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    Couple of things to keep in mind.

    Maryland tends to be a fairly tenant friendly state.

    $25 an hour for cleaning services in unreasonably high. As suggested, contact some local cleaning companies, ask them for their rates.

    Unclogging sinks...don't be surprised if sued that a judge will rather dryly ask you to show the court your plumbers license.

    Look; I'm a landlord too and I've spent many an hour cleaning unbelievable situations that tenants leave behind. Sometimes that's just the price of being a landlord. You charge what you consider you won't end up being sued for or you hire reputable companies to do the dirty work so you have documentation of what you were charged for as evidence of such.

    Otherwise you might find yourself getting lectured by the court that what you are attempting to get away with ends up as the price of being a landlord.

    Gail

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Charging for the Landlord's Personal Labor from a Security Deposit in Maryland

    Quote Quoting gail in georgia
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    Look; I'm a landlord too and I've spent many an hour cleaning unbelievable situations that tenants leave behind. the court that what you are attempting to get away with ends up as the price of being a landlord.
    Been there, too.

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