Before I begin, I'd like to say that I have dealt with my fair share of landlords and apartment management, so I understand my way around the block and also understand that not everything is going to be completed immediately.
With that being said, we signed a lease with AMH on 01/14/2025 with our move-in date being 02/12/2025. This process was smooth, it was easy to understand and the people we spoke to were very kind. Our issue is with the promises made to us prior to occupancy. The house was in decent condition when we toured, however, of course it was quite dirty, lawn uncut, and just need some overall TLC. When we expressed these needs to AMH they were extremely reassuring that all would be done before moving-in. Fast forward to a few weeks before our move-in date; our realtor would periodically go check-in on the house and would inform us that nothing had been done and that it did not even look like anyone had even been on the property. Our realtor, myself, and my husband were constantly speaking to AMH via email and phone call, and they kept aggressively reassuring us that everything would be done. A few days prior to moving in AMH told our realtor she would not be able to visit the house because the cleaners will be present. 02/12/2025 we moved in and alas, absolutely NOTHING had been done. Once again, I, my husband, and our realtor contacted AMH via email and phone call and surprise, surprise, AMH apologized and assured us that they would get someone out there to tend to the property asap, not giving us an exact date/time, but they let us know they filed a work order and someone should be out by today (02/12/2025) or tomorrow (02/13/2025). We revisit the house on 02/13/2025 and the back lawn was cut, but other than that, nothing was touched. At this point, we are already moving in! We are extremely frustrated, so my husband calls and spoke to a man on 02/13/2025 at 12:10pm and explains his frustration and concerns and requests for a refund regarding the $500 CLEANING FEE we paid upon moving in. The man on the line then explains that this $500 cleaning fee is for "move-out" cleaning, not move-in. We become angry at this point because in our lease underneath the title of "Move-In Funds" lists this $500 cleaning fee. Additionally, within our lease it states "The Cleaning Fee that may be part of resident's Move-In Funds covers standard interior cleaning of the property. It does not cover any damages to the property beyond ordinary wear and tear caused during Resident's possession of the Property, and Landlord reserves the right to retain all or a portion of Resident's Deposit for any withholding
permissible under the Lease and Applicable Law. The Cleaning
Fee is nonrefundable and is considered Additional Rent." Which, at first glance makes complete sense and we were aware of this and totally okay with it upon signing our lease. However, when you are promised the house will be in "excellent condition" as it is their "standard upon occupancy" and you are not GIVEN that excellent condition, you are naturally going to want your money back!
All in all, at this point it is 02/19/2025. We have not heard back from anybody regarding the services we were PROMISED upon occupancy. We have been told this $500 cleaning fee is for move-out and is nonrefundable, and nobody seems to want to help us. We have received emails asking about the status of this issue, as well as multiple apologies and promises that have not been fulfilled. We are extremely frustrated with AMH and their broken promises. read more