Barbara Benson    |    McKinleyville    ,    California 95519    Landlord Complaint 23-9300

Notice to Move Out: On July 20, 2017, I gave my 30 day notice to the landlord. On August 20, 2017, I vacated the apartment leaving it clean. Cleaning Charges: The landlord held out $203.50 for cleaning. I do not have to pay for cleaning costs since I left the place clean. If the landlord claims that she had to hire a cleaning service due to how dirty I left the place, well that would be false. The landlord had scheduled the cleaning crew long before I even moved out. It is only the tenants responsibly to return it to prior condition minus normal wear and tear, which I did. On July 27, 2017, the landlord left me a voicemail asking if I was going to be out by August 25, 2017, because she had scheduled the cleaning people to come clean the apartment. Damages: The landlord charged me $250 for a door she claims I damaged; however, she did not provide me with an estimate or proof that she paid that amount or that the door was even fixed - in violation of California law. I requested three times to do a walk through upon my leaving and the landlord never responded to my requests. Late Fees: The landlord’s list of late fees is laughable. Minus one or two months due to payday dates, the rent was always paid by the 5th!! Twice the landlord called me telling me rent was late. I said “no, I sent the check in the mail”. She said “well I haven’t checked the mail yet”. Um, check your mail then call me; this was not new, I always sent the rent by mail. From mid-2016 until August 2017 I paid ½ the rent at the beginning of the month and ½ in the middle of the month. On the first payment of each month I would include a note with the date the next payment would be paid. I also requested that if this arrangement was not okay, please let me know. The landlord never let me know it was not okay. Therefore, I assumed it was okay since she was accepting those payments. The landlord held a portion of my security deposit as part of late fees - in violation of California law. Landlord letters: The first landlord letter is incorrect regarding monies due for rent. I texted her and told her it was not correct and that I paid July and all but $487 for August. She double checked her receipts and found I was right and only owed the $487 for August. Desired Results: I am seeking $613 back from my security deposit, late fees to be dropped, and the so called damage claims to be dropped; along with the $35 filing fee required to file this complaint for a total of $648.