QUESTION
Is it standard procedure for a landord to charge for general cleaning upon lease termination?
Asked on Jul 02nd, 2013 on Landlord and Tenant Law - Colorado
More details to this question:
I hired a professional cleaning company to clean our rental prior to surrendering the property back to the landlord. They did a good job, but a few things were missed. Cleaning next to and behind the stove for instance. He brought in his own cleaning lady to clean the house for "general cleaning". I'm fine paying for the few minutes it took the lady to clean the sides and behind the stove, but he still charged me for general cleaning throughout the rest of the house, even after I brought in a professional cleaning service two days before. Is it standard procedure for the landlord to charge for general cleaning if the house was professionally cleaned?
1 ANSWER
3 Awards
If you can prove that you had the home professionally cleaned and the landlord then is charging for an unneeded service, you may win in a suit disputing this charge. Since you hired a cleaning company I think you have a strong case.
The issue here becomes did the Landlord "willfully, knowingly, and wrongfully" withhold your security deposit. If the answer is yes you could receive 3X damages and the landlord will have to pay the costs of your legal representation. Otherwise, you probably should consider small claims court for recovery of the cleaning fee.
Hope that helps. If you are located along the front range, I can help you in recovering the triple damages should you decide to hire and attorney and pursue that remedy.
Don Eby
Answered on Jul 02nd, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Call Don at (303) 688-0944 or email at Reception@RobinsonandHenry.com This information is provided AS IS; and does not create Client Relationship.