BEWARE OF ILLEGAL SECURITY DEPOSIT PRACTICES HERE
Per the California Office of the Attorney General:
Landlords can only use security deposits for the following specified expenses:
*Past-due rent.
*The cost of repairing damages caused by tenants or their guests, not including ordinary wear and
tear.
*The cost of cleaning the property so that it is as clean as when the tenant first moved in.
*The cost of replacing or restoring the landlord's personal property, such as furniture, but only if the
rental agreement says this is allowed.
*Security deposits MAY NOT be used for other costs, such as (1) damages that were already there when the
tenant moved in; (2) unreasonable or unnecessary expenses; or (3) ordinary wear and tear.
The Palmia Apartments manager, Paul Santos sent me a statement with the following after I moved out:
TURN OVER CHARGES:
* 1-Bedroom standard apartment cleaning &sanitizing= $185(official invoice from vendor -Palominos attached) received invoice 8.3.2024
* 1-Bedroom standard carpet cleaning &sanitizing =$65 (official invoice from vendor -Palominos attached)
Extra maintenance work =n/a Total Charges= $250
Essentially Paul Santons and Palmia55+ is charging every tenant that moves out for ordinary wear and tear. THIS IS ILLEGAL and I have filed a complaint with the California Attorney Generals Office.
They also are required BY LAW to return your Security Deposit within 21 Days as the following statement is from the California Department of Justice: Within 21 days after move-out, the landlord must send the tenant an itemized statement explaining in detail any
deductions from the security deposit (unless they total less than $125), AND return the rest of the deposit.
I moved out on July 20 and recently received a letter from Palmia dated August 7th that I would receive the remainder of my Security Deposit within 21 days. This is NOT following California Law and is NOT acceptable.
The following was taken directly from an email Palmia manager Paul Santos sent me:
Hello John,
"I appreciate your patience for waiting. It's been super busy at work especially during the summer time. I receive the invoice from the vendors for the most accurate refund for you.
I notice that you were only was charged the most minimal charge for leaving the apartment in good condition.
Not painting, not carpet replacement, no damages. Very impressive. Thank you for taking care of your apartments here at Palmia.
By the way, I noted to expedite the refund for you."
PAUL SANTOS
BUSINESS MANAGER
So my apartment was left in "VERY IMPRESSIVE" condition AND you still charged me $250 for standard cleaning and carpet cleaning. Sorry Palmia, but you are charging for NORMAL WEAR and TEAR! This is NOT how you should treat your tenants that paid on time every month and NEVER caused any issues at all.
I'm requesting that the $250 that you illegally charged me for normal wear and tear to be returned to me per California State Law. I would also like to point out to you that the other $306.60 that you agreed to return should have reached me within 21 DAYS.
You cannot make your own rules. You are required to follow (Civ. Code, § 1950.5.): California has strict rules about tenant security deposits that all residential landlords and property managers must follow. (Civ. Code, § 1950.5.).
If this is what they do to someone leaving their apartment in "IMPRESSIVE" condition, what do you think they are going to do with your Security Deposit?
Palmia55+ and Paul Santos, you should be ashamed of yourself treating seniors this way. I guess most people just take it. Not me. I have a video of how I left my apartment AND thank you for your email agreeing that my apartment was left in IMPRESSIVE condition. You will be hearing from the California Attorney General's Office in good time.
A very disappointing way to leave an otherwise good experience. read more