How do you dispute fees charged to you by a previous landlord?

Hello. I subleased my apartment back in November 2006, and the old tenant and I went together to the management office. They switched over the lease to my name and charged her $50 for carpet cleaning, which she paid at that time.

My lease then started immediately, the same day. They never inspected the apartment. They never cleaned the carpet. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed the furniture slightly out of place or the carpet wet, something. At the very least a note on the door saying someone had been in the apartment for maintainance. Nothing. I never complained because it wasn't like they charged me for the cleaning.

Now that I moved out, I left a note with the keys when I dropped them off reminding them that the previous tenant already paid the carpet cleaning fee, but you never cleaned my carpet. Now, 2 weeks later I get my deposit partially refunded to me... minus a $50 fee for carpet cleaning.

Can they actually charge me for this? Doesn't seem right.

So you are all saying that I really have no chance at getting that $50 back? :( That's lame. I know it isn't much money, but...

Yep, your only option is to go to small claims court.

It sounds like the landlord automatically charges everyone for carpet cleaning. It's a small amount and most folks just let it go.

Nope it does not sound fair at all, and the only way you can fight it is small claims court and it will most likely cost more to file the suit.

your out of luck.... what id do is just get your self a nice tube of super glue and glue their locks shut only a second to do it after hours walk to door squrt and gone yes it wont get your money back but yet it might make you feel better knowing they got going to work that day and his bill for new lock will be more than a 50

Try the site below, this might be the answer you are looking for. Watch the presentation.