I lived at this unit for 2 years. My roommates and I moved out, and received a letter with our portion of the security deposit. I learned that I had received less than half of it back. The itemized letter, which I received exactly 21 days after I moved out (which is the deadline for the law), detailed that both Cleaning & Painting charges were taken out of my security deposit.
Cleaning, within California law, is absolutely acceptable for them to take out of my security deposit. The Painting, however, which amounted to a very large $375.00, is not acceptable to be taking out of my security deposit. My roommates and I did not alter or damage the walls in any way, it was purely standard wear-and-tear.
California law states that "A landlord can deduct from the tenant’s security deposit: The cost of fixing any damages to the property caused by the tenant or the tenant’s guests. This does not include ordinary wear and tear." (http://www.courts.ca.gov/1049.htm).
Once I learned this, I asked for the painting portion back: they cannot use my deposit to update their apartment. I spoke with Derek at DHA Cloverdale LLC, and he told me that I am not entitled to that. He said if I'd like to get the itemized receipt for painting, that he would send it and if I'd like to discuss further, that I should contact Heather Naylor, the property manager for DHA Cloverdale LLC, who helped move us into the unit.
I never received the itemized painting receipt, and I left more than 12 messages for Heather Naylor. She never picked up, responded, or acknowledged my communication in any way. I've called her every single day for the past 3 weeks and have been blatantly ignored. This is incredibly illegal.
They are clearly taking advantage of my security deposit, and their ignoring any and all of my requests is incredibly irreponsible and offensive. Beware before you rent from this awful and disrespectful LLC.
DHA Cloverdale LLC. Reviews
I lived at this unit for 2 years. My roommates and I moved out, and received a letter with our portion of the security deposit. I learned that I had received less than half of it back. The itemized letter, which I received exactly 21 days after I moved out (which is the deadline for the law), detailed that both Cleaning & Painting charges were taken out of my security deposit.
Cleaning, within California law, is absolutely acceptable for them to take out of my security deposit. The Painting, however, which amounted to a very large $375.00, is not acceptable to be taking out of my security deposit. My roommates and I did not alter or damage the walls in any way, it was purely standard wear-and-tear.
California law states that "A landlord can deduct from the tenant’s security deposit: The cost of fixing any damages to the property caused by the tenant or the tenant’s guests. This does not include ordinary wear and tear." (http://www.courts.ca.gov/1049.htm).
Once I learned this, I asked for the painting portion back: they cannot use my deposit to update their apartment. I spoke with Derek at DHA Cloverdale LLC, and he told me that I am not entitled to that. He said if I'd like to get the itemized receipt for painting, that he would send it and if I'd like to discuss further, that I should contact Heather Naylor, the property manager for DHA Cloverdale LLC, who helped move us into the unit.
I never received the itemized painting receipt, and I left more than 12 messages for Heather Naylor. She never picked up, responded, or acknowledged my communication in any way. I've called her every single day for the past 3 weeks and have been blatantly ignored. This is incredibly illegal.
They are clearly taking advantage of my security deposit, and their ignoring any and all of my requests is incredibly irreponsible and offensive. Beware before you rent from this awful and disrespectful LLC.