$2,000 move out bill RANT

bellingham craigslist > personals > rants & raves

Landmark Scammers! (bellingham)
Date: 2009-09-04, 7:46PM PDT


Holy crap! I just got a letter today, postmarked this week, from Landmark Property Management regarding a tenancy we moved out of over a year ago claiming that we owe $2,000 dollars in move out costs! demanding payment within a week or threatening referral to collections.
This is outrageous for countless reasons! AHH!
To start, the house was filthy when we moved in and cleaned up when we left. We did our walk-through on video showing the sorry (standard yearly-rented beat down bellingham college house) state because we were taking over a broken lease from some losers who couldn't keep up on rent. I have this video. Then were told it looked good on move out, when asked specifically were told that we weren't responsible for normal wear and tear beyond the non-refundable $100 or so portion of the deposit. I'd even gotten a new Pet-Hair vacuum right before moving out which got all the carpets really clean, though of course not brand new again.
Someone has been living there for the past year.
NOW they are trying to charge me $1,000 over a YEAR later for replacing the old carpet that is completely their responsibility.
And fault realistically if they're saying it needs to be replaced because Landmark had neglected to repair a continually worsening hole in the roof over the living room, which ruined one of our xbox360s the first time it leaked through into the house and was noticed. Our loss i guess, we're chill people and called it an unfortunate accident that just sucks. We repeatedly called requesting the hole be repaired, water was getting into the insulation, walls and floor. This went on for over a month in rainy Bellingham until finally we called furiously telling them was a garbage bucket set in our living room that was filling with water and would get pictures. When they finally did "fix" it, they just left all the moldy rot inside, and slapped a new roof on top (i assume using the owners money) with a sunlight where the hole used to be. Super. For the next renters, owners, us, but especially for their profit.
NOW they're trying to take advantage of ME and screw me over for completely NEW carpet? The list goes on.. damn, i can't type it all.
I attempted to contact Landmark over a dozen times the first few weeks after we turned in keys and did our walk-thru in order to collect some of our deposit that i hoped might remain as we left the place in good shape. Was repeatedly calling, leaving phone numbers for myself and the two other roommates as well as new addresses we were all moving away to (which is the way they are NOW contacting me) asking for information. I could never get past leaving messages.
Life is busy, and i'd heard that there was a 90 (or 14) day policy requiring them to return the deposit. We all moved on and figured time had run out, whatever.
Now in hopes i've lost the paperwork (think i have it, not sure where though) and that they can completely screw over some college kids for $2,000 they're trying to do THIS?
THIS IS A SCAM and i resent it! Isn't there some sort of protection from this treachery for the normal guys?
I'm so furious with this, that house was the last thing on my mind or that i should be dealing with right now. It's been really hard to make it financially lately anyway. Landmark Property Management needs to lose more than they gain for these scams somehow.
Any useful suggestions?