https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 12:35:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908503 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 16:21:20 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2908503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilary: thanks! My sister sent my dad a bunch of information before he started renting out the rooms but knowing my dad I doubt he read through it or followed it..</p> <p>Unfortunately the tenant threatened to take it to the small claims court so I think my dad will just return the whole security deposit. My father doesn’t have proper before and after pictures and he is also over 21 days in returning his deposit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908415 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 08:29:09 +0000 hilary 2908415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does your dad have tenants do a move in checklist? Our tenants have 48 hours from move in to complete a checklist of the condition of the property prior to move in. This is to protect both us and them when they move out. We try to be very fair but just give an itemized doc of the expenses incurred on their move out and why those were necessary. Sounds like your Dad is doing the same. Without pictures or a move in checklist it's hard to defend his interests. I also used to clean myself but stopped because had a hard time charging that since I wouldn't have an invoice from a service. Sorry your family is going through this. It's so hard to be a landlord and try to treat people well and get taken advantage of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908404 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 02:30:13 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2908404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: @2littlepumpkins: @Mommy Finger: thank you all! I was feeling so overwhelmed and your answers and internet searches helped a lot. I think my dad doesnt have proper documentation and so is going to lean more towards giving more $ back to the tenant. Gotta hope the next one is a good one...... although this tenant caused my parents grief I’m glad it wasn’t a horror story tenant kind of bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908385 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:24:43 +0000 Mommy Finger 2908385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not in California but I rented out my condo in Chicago for a few years after we bought our house while we waited for the housing market to improve. I used a management company to help us in the last 2 years and they told me that they advised all of their clients to charge a move in fee vs a security deposit b/c the rules have changed and it's almost impossible to hold back a security deposit anymore. The laws have tipped to favor the renter versus the landlord. Again, not in California but just thought I'd throw it out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908348 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 09:24:10 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2908348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Google California landlord tenant handbook. The itemized receipt is something he’s entitled to, but I don’t think he’s entitled to photos off the top of my head. He should have requested an inspection with him present. The costs have to be reasonable for the work done, too. I would be a bit more specific about the $200. Sorry your dad has to deal with this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908322 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 20:04:34 +0000 KT326 2908322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I lived in an apartment and moved out they only deducted a cleaning fee, which was like $100 (on a $1,200 deposit). From what I understand, in CA you can only deduct a cleaning fee to restore the living space to what it was when the tenant moved in and any expenses beyond reasonable wear and tear. If you want to deduct expenses you will need an itemized receipt. You would have to prove the stains were beyond reasonable wear and tear in which case before and after pictures would come in handy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908321 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:40:45 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2908321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any California bees know a bit more about renters’ rights than I do?</p> <p>My parents rent out rooms to help pay for their mortgage.</p> <p>Recently (this is all according to my dad) a renter left large stains on the carpet, stains on the bathtub and sink that according to my dad they can’t get out. My parents spent $100 on professional carpet cleaning services for the room and they cleaned the bathroom themselves.</p> <p>My dad asked this tenant to leave and gave him two months notice.</p> <p>According to my dad this tenant had multiple cars and made a living off fixing up cars and selling them. He says that the stains are due to his car maintenance work.</p> <p>The tenant paid $500 security deposit and asked for an itemized receipt with before and after pictures. According to my father the tenant wants his whole security deposit back and has threatened to sue him if he doesn’t (but I was not there for this conversation).</p> <p>My dad wants to charge him $100 carpet cleaning fees (which they hired someone for and have a receipt for) and $200 for labor costs (my mom, dad, and brother cleaning the bathroom and etc.)</p> <p>I feel lost at how to help him with this.<br /> A simple typed up word doc receipt should be fine, right?<br /> $100 carpet cleaning<br /> $200 labor cost<br /> ———<br /> $300 total</p> <p>What about the tenant’s request for before/after pictures? Is that necessary?</p> <p>My parents have had multiple tenants but this is the only guy making a huge mess and also giving legal threats and I think my dad is both furious and a little worried. </p>