Full question:
We gave verbal notice to the landlord 3/20/11. We were originally on a lease, but after 2 yrs., we became month to month. She acknowledged the notice in a letter and listed all the cleaning she expects us to responsible for...Washing windows, cleaning Venetian blinds, scrubbing walls and cupboards, cleaning oven and interior under burners, fridge, shower. The stove is old and not working right from the start...says she will charge $25/hr for cleaning (cleaners get $10-15/hr here). Do we owe rent through 4/19 or 4/30, and can we the list of demands be shortened?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: New York
Answer:
You are in a challenging situation if the landlord is holding your security deposit. She may deduct cleaning costs from it. If she is not holding a security deposit, she has limited leverage over you. If she is holding your money, it’s advisable to do the cleaning to minimize deductions. You likely owe rent until April 30, but this is ultimately up to the landlord. If you ask politely, she may be willing to negotiate on the cleaning list. Given the small amounts involved, hiring a lawyer may not be practical. Good luck.
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