Went on vacation. Rented house (belongs to guy in New England) and dealt exclusively with RE agent/friend of home owner, who acts as his property manager. Gave her a $150 deposit check to hold.

My GF and I pride ourselves on leaving places we stay very clean, at least as good as or better than when we got there. Because we left at 3am for the drive back home, I left the sheets and two towels in the wash, ready to go (by agreement with the PM). Everything else was perfect.

A few days after we get back, I get an e-mail saying that she washed the load with the detergent that we bought while we were down there (regular Tide, no bleach or bleach alternative) and that they came out with what looked like bleach spots and needed to be replaced. Interesting thing is that we didn't wash the sheets while we were down there - I have no idea what they looked like when we got there, except for the part at the top of the bed, on which I didn't notice anything unusual. The towels (at least one of them) was already discolored. Everything in the house was kind of old - not bad, just not new - like when you go to a three star hotel that needs to be remodeled. I firmly believe, but cannot prove, that they're exactly how we found them.

I replied to the e-mail with these same comments.

No response until today, when she sends me an image of a receipt for the purchase of new towels and sheets (to the tune of $60 and change), tells me that the owner has my check and will refund the difference, and thanks for my patience.

I'm a little steamed. I've requested pictures of the alleged damage and reiterated the fact that we didn't wash the sheets and the towel was already discolored.

Do I stop the check over the $60, or do I let it go and just be pissed and make some noise about it?

She knows I'm an attorney (not that I'm going to Florida to sue her for $60) and I hope she understands that I don't like to be trifled with.

What say you?

-Rob

It will cost probably $30 to stop payment but then again, I would do it if it cost $100 because I dont like being taken advantage of.

Let them have their victory but dont spend money with them ever again.

Can you contact the owner?

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Can you contact the owner?

Only by snail mail.

Do what I did with an old landlord (who was also a lawyer) who hosed me out of $200 for "cleaning expenses" when the next tenant moved in 3 hours after I moved out.

Write a letter telling him you know he is a thief and a liar and have marked him as such . . . and drive on. It isn't worth your time.

She sent me pictures - sheets and towels are definitely bleach spotted.

The fact remains that we washed our own clothing only hours before this stuff went in (no bleach in sight) and it all came out just fine.

She forwarded my "comments" to the owner for his consideration. Also, says the towels were new. The ones in the picture were not the ones I thought she meant, which were spotted when we got there. They've definitely been hit with some bleach since we used them.

So, who knows about well water and water softeners? Any chance a water softener on the fritz could do bleach-like damage?

I would contact the agents broker (his boss) and let him know how his agent has tarnished the good name of his company and you will be shure to tell everyone you can about the companies buisness practices. Let them know how much buisness they will lose (including yours next year) over $60. Then tell us what buisness it is and I'm shure we would all send e-mails saying something like "we were planing on renting one of your fine homes until we read on the internet....... We will be taking our buisness to Company XYZ" Hey there are 40,000 sig members even if you can only get 1% of us involved it should make an impact.

I like the way you think, but she's a semi-retired realtor and the next door neighbor of the rental property. The way I heard the story when we arrived was that the owner used to live there full time, but his job moved him to NE and she said, don't sell it, it's a great place. Why don't you just rent/lease it, and I'll take care of things here for you and you'll still have it to use for yourself. He didn't/doesn't need the money from the sale, so he bit. In other words, no boss.

Oh well I tried. Mabey next time

1. If possible always do this sort of thing by credit card. Chargeback the deposit and let the CC fight with them instead of you.

2. If she washed the sheets she is responsible, not you. Who knows what she spilled on them, washed them with or otherwise screwed up. If there were stains BEFORE she washed them that's one thing. After isn't your problem.

3. I'd stop payment on the check just on principle. Money isn't the important factor.

quote:

Originally posted by tanksoldier:
1. If possible always do this sort of thing by credit card. Chargeback the deposit and let the CC fight with them instead of you.

2. If she washed the sheets she is responsible, not you. Who knows what she spilled on them, washed them with or otherwise screwed up. If there were stains BEFORE she washed them that's one thing. After isn't your problem.

3. I'd stop payment on the check just on principle. Money isn't the important factor.

Sounds like there's the problem. YOU didn't wash them, so you're not to blame. It's up to her to check to make sure you bought the "right" detergent before she uses it; and I'd doubt that it caused any problems.

I would stop payment on the check.

I wonder if she charges every renter the same fees every week ...

Don't stop payment, but demand that the damaged goods are mailed to you since you're replacing them. If they refuse, then stop payment.

I'd stop payment if I was sure I didn't damage them. Let them come after you... I doubt they will.

Email me the address and I will egg the house for you. How many eggs does $60 buy nowadays?

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Don't stop payment, but demand that the damaged goods are mailed to you since you're replacing them. If they refuse, then stop payment.

+1
If you pay for them...they are yours.
*What type of contract / papers did you sign? Was the $150 a "security / damages" deposit, or partial payment for the short-term lease? See what documents you happened to put your signature on, express about your liability regarding damages, then act accordingly...I would however try my best to avoid putting a stop on the check. I'm sorry, but towels, sheets, etc = their cost of doing business. Now drywall repair, fixture replacement, etc. might be your responsibility.

Not knowing your family situation, I throw this out there for gee whiz... Do you have any teenagers, or a wife that may be using achne cream or med's? We traveled back to Colorado to visit family. My Father had spent hundreds of dollars on towels, I thought he was nuts, but they were sure nice. Until we washed them. Bleached spots all over a couple my son had used. Was actually from his achne cream.

Just a thought. I wouldn't cancel the check. $60 isn't that bad, just don't use them again, and send a letter to the owner explaining your frustration.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
...Just a thought. I wouldn't cancel the check. $60 isn't that bad, just don't use them again, and send a letter to the owner explaining your frustration.

On the one hand, you left the place as agreed. The spots may have been from the failure to launder the bedding promptly (i.e., mold or mildew). The spots are normal wear and tear, a purely cosmetic defect that will not affect use. Thing is, they can sue you in that foreign state, and you'd have to defend there. So my conclusion would be the same, though I'd do nothing. Even if they take the whole $150, it's not worth the stress and aggravation of worrying about it. Offer the left cheek as well; carry the pack a second mile - but don't worry about it.

I'd stop payment on the check.

As for the water softener and bleach, not likely. I have a softener and I've never had a problem with it affecting the laundry in a negative way, i.e. spots as you've described.

Since SHE washed the sheets, and it happened under her control, SHE is responsible, not you.