Significant Security Deposit Deductions at Move-Out…read more
We rented a newly constructed home managed by Welch Randall and were the first tenants to occupy the property.
Shortly after move-in, we documented several incomplete construction and finish items, including unfinished staining on a stair tread and other minor deficiencies. We reported these items and followed up multiple times during our tenancy. Despite those requests, the issues remained unresolved for the duration (1.5 years) of our lease and were only addressed after we provided notice that we would be moving out.
Prior to move-out, Welch Randall provided an extremely detailed cleaning and move-out checklist along with a pre-move-out walkthrough identifying potential charges and estimated costs if items were not corrected.
We took those requirements seriously. My family spent approximately 24 combined hours cleaning and preparing the home. We cleaned appliances, bathrooms, cabinets, closets, floors, baseboards, windows, and the garage. We also mowed and weeded the yard before vacating.
After move-out, our $2,195 security deposit resulted in a refund of only $138.59, with approximately $2,056 withheld for cleaning, carpet services, landscaping, repairs, maintenance items, and other vendor charges.
Some of the items identified were legitimate. For example, a few small items were left in the garage, a wall paint touch-up used the wrong sheen, and certain maintenance items remained outstanding. However, the resulting charges felt disproportionate to the actual condition of the property and to the scope of work needed.
The single largest charge was approximately $945 for cleaning. Additional charges included landscaping, wall repairs and painting, removal of a Ring doorbell that we had left behind, replacement of batteries and a door stop, removal of a few leftover items, and carpet-related services.
To Welch Randall's credit, they provided documentation, photographs, vendor invoices, and multiple written explanations supporting their position, and they responded promptly to my questions and disputes. However, I strongly disagreed with the reasonableness of many of the charges and with the ultimate result.
My overall experience was that maintenance requests during the tenancy were handled slowly, if at all, while move-out standards and deposit deductions were enforced very aggressively.
Prospective tenants should carefully review the move-out checklist, understand the potential vendor costs, document everything thoroughly, and assume that even relatively minor deficiencies at move-out may result in significant deductions from their security deposit.
Based on my experience, tenants should not assume that a substantial portion of their security deposit will be returned simply because they have occupied the property responsibly and made a significant effort to clean and prepare it for move-out.
