QUESTION

Can landlord create his own receipt for cleaning hours?

Asked on Apr 16th, 2017 on Civil Litigation - California
More details to this question:
My landlord sent me a detailed description of the cleaning that he alleges was required to meet the cleaning after I vacated the apt. I am shocked at the cleaning deductions considering that I had hired a cleaning and carpet cleaning company the day I vacated. The 7 pages list the hours and work. It doesn't give me the receipt of the company who did the work. I suspect he and his wife did it by themselves. For example, Day 3 hours is listed as 6 hours to do a 12x12 bedroom. I showed this to my cleaning company and they are saying that the landlord can't arbitrarily make up a labor fee ($30/hr) and labor hours when they aren't professional cleaners. My security deposit was $1000, the landlord is asked for $1832.43 (that includes cleaning supplies that were purchased). This is a two bedroom apt with two adult tenants that lived there from Sept-March 2016. Does a landlord have the right to make his own receipt for cleaning and repairs or does he need to show professional receipts?
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1 ANSWER

Appellate Practice Attorney serving New York, NY
Whatever form the landlord's proof takes, if you believe the landlord is overcharging you, you can either simply refuse to pay (in which case the landlord may sue you - what does your lease say about attorneys' fees?), or you can refuse to pay and sue the landlord for the return of any part of your security deposit you feel you are owed.   In either case, barring a settlement, a judge or jury will decide how much reasonably was needed to put the apartment back in the proper condition.
Answered on Apr 17th, 2017 at 9:41 AM

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