Just had my first renters moved out. During their 2 years, on my few visits, I just deaded seeing the house and yard in chaos and full of junk. Finally, when they moved out, we found that 2 years of weeds and leaves have accumulated on all the flower beds. They just mowed the lawn. The bushes were all overgrown and there were snakes underneath and poison ivy growing, too. Almost all perennials were gone, as they made the yard a dog run. Grass was totally gone from the backyard and after asking them to get rid of all the twigs and broken limbs dumped in the front yard, they dumped them in the backyard, which was a cause of citation from the communuity association. The maintenance man we have asked to do all these, never showed up, most probably daunted by all the tasks needed to be done, so we have been doing it ourselves. Caused us a doctor’s visit because of poison ivy and more in prescription drugs. In all the 27 years we lived there, we never saw any poison ivy growing in the yard.

Window treatments that came with the house had been destroyed. Dog hair and dog food were in the air vents. Kitchen island and counter needed repair, bathrooms needed caulking, vent cleaning had to be done, and still had to paint behind the fridge which they skipped doing in painting the whole house. The outside sidings needed powerwashing, gutters needed to be cleaned, deck had to be cleaned, the patio had to be re-laid, as they took them out, and a total yard clean-up has been going on.

Yet, in all these, they want every penny back of their deposit. Maintenance of the property, in and out is included in the agreement which had expired and had not been renewed before they left. What to do? I guess it’s just part of being a landlord!!!!

Also, it’s a monkey wrench for your plans, but the problems you have are enviable to many!

It wasn’t “garbage” literally, but they left a bunch of crap that *I* don’t want. [-SM]

They left so much crap, my maintenance guy said he has had to make TWO trips to the county dumpster. *smh* [-SM]

Am praying that things get resolved quickly for you.

I live in an apartment, am an excellent tenant and have never been late. I wish I could find a landlord as conscientious as you to rent a house from as it will be a long while until I am able to get a house of my own.

Hang in there.

I wish all renters were excellent tenants like you! [-SM]

I will prepare an itemized list of all expenses that are not a result of “normal wear and tear” and refund the difference. The itemized list of repairs/expenses, move out inspection list and refund will be sent to the forwarding address they provided within 45 days.

As far as I know, all rental property expenses are tax deductible as business expenses, but I’ll have to rely on my CPA for guidance. [-SM]

If I didn’t love living in the city, I’d be tempted to move back into the house. Being a landlord is not my cup of tea and selling is not a viable option right now. [-SM]