Complaint Review: Chris Qiu - Redmond Washington

I rented a bedroom from CHRIS QIU, located at 6840 NE 153^rd Ave, Redmond WA, 98052, from approximately January 25 to April 26, 2014. Rent was $450 per month, all utilities included. The deposit was $400, with $40 being non-refundable for carpet cleaning.

Before moving in, I did a thorough walkthrough of the living spaces and the bedroom I would be renting. There was no kitchen. I told him I had several small cooking appliances, but he did not say anything. While touring the bedroom, I noticed the curtains on the walk in closed were broken, and I mentioned this to him, but he did not reply.

During my few month stay, he constantly micromanaged all 3 roommates, complained daily about trash, recycling, anything not clean to his specifications. I told him multiple times that I did not use the trash, only recycling, and the living space was actually quite clean. He regularly complained about the shower being dirty, even though it was permanently stained.

He required a month notice to move out and said that he would refund any rent or deposit if someone else moved in before the end of the month. I still have the email where he said this.

I found a new place in mid April, and immediately gave notice. I also tried to help him find a new tenant. When I moved out, I cleaned and vacuumed my room, the living spaces, cleaned off the counter, removed all my belongings from the kitchen, bathroom, and refrigerator. I did a walkthrough with him and pointed out everything of mine was gone, and he approved and said it was acceptable. I did not take pictures because he was standing right there. That is my fault.

After approximately 3 weeks of not hearing from him, I emailed and asked if he had a new tenant. He said yes, someone had just moved in a few days before, but he made no attempt to contact me.

I asked about a refund and he gave me back $47. He charged me for the broken curtain in the closed, which we both previously discussed and I said I did not break it, he argued it was not broken when I moved in. I even reminded him that I pointed it out.

He sent me pictures of the place after I left. In the pictures I saw dirty paper towels on the counter and a closed trash bag on the floor by the garbage can. He accused me of having both. I reminded him, yet again, I did not use paper towels, and I can’t say who left the trash bag because I had 3 other roommates. I also reminded him that when I left, he saw the common living area and it was clean. Nothing was left behind.

I argued this with him and he said, per the rental agreement, I did not deserve any of the deposit back, and he was being generous by giving me $47. I told him, we our email, he would refund anything extra if someone else moved in. I also told him he can’t prove the paper towels and trash are mine, because there was other roommates. He continued to blame me for them. He would often knock on my door and tell me to clean up the mess in the kitchen, which consists of dirty paper towels, empty boxes, and other items, and I reminded Chris each time that none of that was mine. He obviously does not remember.

When I moved in, both roommates, Patrick and Tim, told me that previous tenants had moved out within a couple months. That was a big red flag and I should have never moved in. Chris IS a scammer.

I told Chris I wanted to get this matter resolved. I left on good terms, he did a walkthrough, and noted everything was clean, and now he is changing his story, and once again accusing me of leaving a mess that was not there when I left. His entire reply to me was to send back the $47 to resolve the matter. He made no attempt to rectify in any other way, he simply wanted to keep my deposit. In addition, even if the paper towel mess and garbage bag was mine, he ultimately charge $313 for it ($400 deposit - $40 cleaning - $47 refunded). SCAM.

CHRIS QIU, 6840 NE 153^rd Ave, Redmond WA, 98052. Advertises bedrooms on craigslist. He IS a scammer, and he falsely accused me of leaving a dirty room to keep my deposit.

If anybody sees rooms available from him, I strongly advise NOT moving in. He WILL do the following: micromanage you daily, complain about how you live, every week you have cleaning he will send multiple reminder emails, he WILL lie and accuse in order to keep your deposit.

I considered taking him to small claims court, but have no pictures.

CHRIS QUI is dishonest, and a scammer.