ohiolandlord
02-09-2006, 03:09 PM
I moved into a two family apartment over four years ago. When I moved in the place had not been cleaned first. It also had not been painted. I paid for the paint and supplies and painted myself. The apartment had the carpet pulled up in the living room and two bedrooms. Their were hardwood floors underneath. These were not in the best of condition. The landlord even stated that while her daughter lived there that their dog had caused spots on the floors. She said she should have carpeted the apartment before I moved in.
My problem is this. I had put down carpeting of my own with no padding. With the best of intentions I kept the carpeting clean with my steam cleaner. Unbeknownst to me moisture built up underneath and removed the finish from the hardwood flooring. I am attempting to correct the problem.
I have very thoroughly cleaned the apartment. Nothing was done before I moved in. So I am leaving it cleaner than when I received it.
My question is this. Can the landlord come after me for more than my deposit? My deposit is $600.00. The floors were not the greatest to begin with and should have been carpeted over. which the landlord had already stated in front of witnesses.
I feel really bad about the floors and would not argue about the deposit. I will let her know that she can keep it.
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In Ohio, the tenant only has to leave the apartment in the same condition he or she received it, reasonable wear and tear excepted. If you can show a court that you did that, then the landlord will not be able to keep your deposit.
If the floors were in bad shape already, any minimal moisture damage should not be counted against you. You would be wise to document the condition of the apartment before you move out. This means making a video tape of the place before you go. Show the damaged and undamaged areas of the hardwood floor especially.
You would also be wise to get a flooring person or two into the place to assess the floor's condition and to give you an estimate of how much it would take to return the floor to its previous condition before the moisture damaqe. Get these estimates in writing, as well as estimates to refinish the floor to new condition.
That way if the matter goes to court, you will have evidence to show whether or not the landlord's estimates are reasonable.
If you want to learn more about your rights as a tenant in the state of Ohio, you can download our book online at http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/book.html
My problem is this. I had put down carpeting of my own with no padding. With the best of intentions I kept the carpeting clean with my steam cleaner. Unbeknownst to me moisture built up underneath and removed the finish from the hardwood flooring. I am attempting to correct the problem.
I have very thoroughly cleaned the apartment. Nothing was done before I moved in. So I am leaving it cleaner than when I received it.
My question is this. Can the landlord come after me for more than my deposit? My deposit is $600.00. The floors were not the greatest to begin with and should have been carpeted over. which the landlord had already stated in front of witnesses.
I feel really bad about the floors and would not argue about the deposit. I will let her know that she can keep it.
__________________________________________________ _____________
In Ohio, the tenant only has to leave the apartment in the same condition he or she received it, reasonable wear and tear excepted. If you can show a court that you did that, then the landlord will not be able to keep your deposit.
If the floors were in bad shape already, any minimal moisture damage should not be counted against you. You would be wise to document the condition of the apartment before you move out. This means making a video tape of the place before you go. Show the damaged and undamaged areas of the hardwood floor especially.
You would also be wise to get a flooring person or two into the place to assess the floor's condition and to give you an estimate of how much it would take to return the floor to its previous condition before the moisture damaqe. Get these estimates in writing, as well as estimates to refinish the floor to new condition.
That way if the matter goes to court, you will have evidence to show whether or not the landlord's estimates are reasonable.
If you want to learn more about your rights as a tenant in the state of Ohio, you can download our book online at http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/book.html