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  1. #1
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    Aug 2017
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    Default How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

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

    In the beginning of march me and my landlord verbally agreed I can bring a dog to my apartment for a couple of months starting near the end of march. She said if anyone asks say you paid a $500 deposit. Which was fine. About 2weeks later she said no due to the maintenance man not wanting to clean up after it. I had no other option for a while. So the dog was at my apartment partially then at my friends farm.

    On may 9th I got my emotional support letter from my doctor. Sent my landlord a very clear photo of the letter from my doctor then later gave her a physical copy. She said she doesn't accept service animals. However the maintenance man has a small dog.

    I received a termination of month to month lease I moved out

    She sent me a letter stating ' in regard to your deposit, as it states in your lease agreement page 1-6c no refund will be given if there is evidence of non approved pets. I have 3 affidavits from different individuals stating you had a dog in your apartment as of last week in March.

    Also the apartment was not left clean. (Which I left it very clean)

    It took over 3 hours to clean the stove (which it was very clean)

    Mini blind in kitchen was broken (yes there was a piece of the blind missing)

    Dog hair was everywhere (swept, vacuumed, mopped every room as there was no carpet in any room so it was easy to clean up anything)

    The window in the living room was off its track (when I moved in she had to fix a window not the window she was taking about but it was already off track)

    My bill for cleaning and repair was $380.00.' My security deposit was $550.

    I have video of before me moving and after I moved out

    The reason why she renegade on dog is because the maintence man does everything at no cost which I have proof of her stating this via text.

    The lady who 'cleaned the apartment' I asked for itemized bill of that and have yet to receive one because the lady who cleaned was out of town.

    I'm planning on writing a demand desposit letter. Just wondering if it's worth it. Because I think she's a con artist I really do

  2. #2
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    View Post
    About 2weeks later she said no due to the maintenance man not wanting to clean up after it.
    Why weren't you cleaning up after your dog?
    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    On may 9th I got my emotional support letter from my doctor. Sent my landlord a very clear photo of the letter from my doctor then later gave her a physical copy. She said she doesn't accept service animals.
    An emotional support animal is not a service animal. But either way, your landlord does not have any choice about "accepting" a properly documented emotional support animal under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), nor any choice about accepting a service animal under the FHA or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you properly documented your psychological need for an emotional support animal, you can consider making a fair housing complaint.
    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    I received a termination of month to month lease I moved out
    okay....
    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    She sent me a letter stating ' in regard to your deposit, as it states in your lease agreement page 1-6c no refund will be given if there is evidence of non approved pets. I have 3 affidavits from different individuals stating you had a dog in your apartment as of last week in March.
    You have told us that you had an unauthorized pet in the apartment, and that you did so before you got your emotional support animal letter, so that doesn't make the prior unauthorized presence of the pet go away. That said, a liquidated damages clause that forfeits the entire security deposit based upon the presence of a pet is likely unenforceable. (We cannot review the enforceability of that provision without reading its actual language, and possibly additional provisions of the lease.)
    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    My bill for cleaning and repair was $380.00.' My security deposit was $550.
    Please clarify -- is she refunding $170, or is she billing you $330 after declaring the $550 forfeit due to the unauthorized pet?
    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    The reason why she renegade on dog is because the maintence man does everything at no cost which I have proof of her stating this via text.
    Why would somebody perform maintenance at an apartment building or complex, but not require any payment for those services?

    You can make a demand; from what you've told us so far I would not expect your landlord to accede to your demand. If you cannot work things out, you have the option of small claims court.

  3. #3
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    Aug 2017
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    my dog has only peed on the property nothing else. So the maintence man had never had to clean up after My dog

    i guess you can say you my dog was unauthorized but we had agreed and she took it back I couldn't find another option fast enough. The next month i turned in my rent she had asked if I figured out the situation with my dog I told her no..

    She is not refunding me the remaining $170 probably due to the unauthorized dog she only stated her bill for cleaning and repair was $380.

    The maintence man probably gets free or discounted housing im not sure.


    So verbal agreements don't hold up even with proof?
    Also me and her never signed a move in condition. And I asked for itemized charges the cleaning lady performed and still never received it. it's a difficult situation.

  4. #4
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    Dec 2012
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    'my dog has only peed on the property nothing else."

    Then your dog is the one dog known throughout history never to produce stool.

    "She is not refunding me the remaining $170 probably due to the unauthorized dog she only stated her bill for cleaning and repair was $380.

    The maintence man probably gets free or discounted housing im not sure. "

    Actually you're not sure of very much, are you? Sounds like a lot of this is just guessing and unfortunately, that won't hold up in court should it end up there.

    Gail

  5. #5
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    I never said my dog doesn't produce stool all I said is that he pees on the property. If you have a dog you should know sometimes they pee some place and produce stool another place

    I don't know what agreement the landlord has with the maintence man all I know is what she has told me. Would you know what agreement a landlord and maintence man has about their living situation?

    Would like no further reply from you about this situation Gail

  6. #6

    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    Quote Quoting JahnDoe
    View Post
    I never said my dog doesn't produce stool all I said is that he pees on the property. If you have a dog you should know sometimes they pee some place and produce stool another place

    I don't know what agreement the landlord has with the maintence man all I know is what she has told me. Would you know what agreement a landlord and maintence man has about their living situation?

    Would like no further reply from you about this situation Gail
    Your on a public forum. You can not dictate who responds.

  7. #7
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    Aug 2017
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    I felt they're response was unecessary just like yours. it's a public forum I can ask what I want. If your not going to help or give me sound advice like the first advice why respond

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    672

    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    Good way to assure that you get no help from those best qualified

    So, from a substantially less qualified contributor...
    You can walk away. (Probably simplest and least costly from a time/aggravation POV.)
    You can take it to small claims court. Free other than the filing fee, which is usually minimal. Make sure you have all your evidence available, organized, and relevant.
    You can hire a lawyer to do it for you.

    Good luck. Some judges are more sympathetic than others.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Default Re: How to Dispute Repair Charges from an Unauthorized Pet in a Rental Property

    "it's a public forum I can ask what I want. "

    Folks in hell can ask for ice water. Doesn't mean they're going to get it.

    The point was (which appeared to be missed by the OP) if they ever ends up in Small Claims court the evidence you provide (as Catmad pointed out) must be organized, relevant and, most of all, accurate. Not "she's not refunding me the $170 probably due to the unauthorized dog" or "the maintenance man probably gets free or discounted housing im not sure" (and for what it's worth my father was a building superintendent; he got a basement apartment rent free BUT also received a pay check).

    At any rate, the first step if you dispute the amount kept from your security deposit is that demand letter. If no response, then you consider legal action (Small Claims) BUT you need to have actual evidence to prove your case to the court.

    Gail

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