Hi everyone,

Our apartment is in Seattle Washington.

We moved out of our apartment at the end of December. Before moving out we spent hours and hours cleaning, and made sure the apartment looked good ( and this was, predictably, a pretty bad apartment that was not that good to begin with). Last week we got a letter from the landlord charging us $1000 for cleaning fees, ($750 of which was our security deposit). The itemized breakdown included charges for painting, cleaning, pressure washing balcony, a new stove and missing keys. I sent back (certified, tracked mail) that I contest these charges - that we cleaned well, that no paint was damaged outside of reasonable wear and tear, that we turned in all the keys. The landlord responded (via email, not postal mail) that they would remove the charge for the keys but none other.

I had asked in my letter that they respond with receipts or invoices for the cleaning/painting services and etc. However, according to their response, they have not yet painted or cleaned the apartment. They are charging us those fees before they clean or paint anything.

It is my understanding that the landlord is required to provide invoices and receipts for the services performed to verify they are not overcharging. Additionally, they included an invoice for a new stove-top they are charging us for, saying we scratched the stove-top and they need a new one. However, the invoice is dated for the same day we moved out. In other words, according to them, they bought a new stove (from Chicago, when we live in Washington）on the same day that we moved out.

We did some research and this landlord is famous for doing shady things and withholding money without cause. I am not opposed to a fair price being withheld from my security deposit but their claims seem legitimate and dishonest.

I am hoping to write them a second letter demanding the return of my security deposit based on 1. The fact that they are charging us for services (painting and cleaning) that have not actually happened, and 2. the suspicious fact of them getting an invoice for a stove top on the same day we moved out.

However, before I draft and send a letter I want to double-check and/or get advice ok this situation. In other words, in your experience, redditors, are these charges fraudulent (in Washington state?)? Do I have a case in fighting them? Is there anything I could or should say in the letter.

Thank you very much for your time in reading my post and for your responses!