I signed a lease with Montgomery Trace Apartments in February of 2007 and was required to pay a $99 deposit. I acquired a pet so they charged me an additional $400 deposit of which $200 was non-refundable.
I lived in the apartment for a year and paid my rent on time every single month. When I moved out I spent three days cleaning up the apartment. I vaccuumed twice, mopped the tile floors, scrubbed the bath tub, cabinets, and refrigerator. I also applied touch up paint to all walls just as a courtesy.
The only issue with the apartment when I moved out was the kitchen sink. I used a cleaner on it that had removed some of the finish which I expected to be charged for.
When I received the check back for my deposit it was for $41 out of the $499 which is ridiculous. When I called the apartment manager she told me the carpet was not cleaned so she obviously had not seen it herself. I explained that I had vaccuumed twice and cleaned everything top to bottom.
She told me she would work with the property owner to get the cleaning fees reimbursed. I never heard back from her. So I began calling to the office and she was "not in" and did not return voicemails.
I then sent an email via the website and she called me and left a vmail to call back. I did and no return call. They now see my number and ignore my phone calls so this is my next step.
I thought that since they claimed to be "Luxury Apartments" they would not weisel my deposit from me like all other apartment complexes do. It is amazing the bogus charges these apartments get away with and I wish they were regulated. I feel like my deposit was stolen.