I agree...they are being shady! Is what they are doing even legal? Can they withhold the security deposit from the previous tenants and make the new tenants pay it for them? Can they refuse to do an official walkthrough/inspection?
Also, what about the cleaning "fee" they are going to charge (they did NOT list it in the rental agreement as a non-refundable deposit, even though they admit that they are going to be keeping it whether we clean the apartment or not, unless we use the same cleaning professionals they would be using...)? When I moved in, the place was pretty dingy and dirty, the paint was at least 3 years old, the carpets were at least 3 years old and have not been professionally cleaned. And now that I'm signing a new lease, how will they define "...as clean as when the tenant moved in..." when it comes time to return the security deposit? They are not repainting (I was told that I would have to pay for it if I wanted it done), they are not cleaning the carpets, they are doing NOTHING....
Please advise.

