I signed a periodic lease for an apartment 3 months ago with almost no red flags (except that landlord wanted a periodic lease).
A week after moving in, the landlord informed me that the apartment was up for sale and the agent will require frequent access to the place to hold open houses. The Agent has since then been conducting one to two, weekly open houses which has been an absolute pain.
After 2 months of dealing with this I gave my notice. Landlord told me I should provide her with receipts for professional cleaning of the house and the carpets to get my bond back. Since it wasn't a requirement in the lease I told her I was not obligated to do that, to which she told she wants the place exactly like it was as it was steam cleaned before I moved in.
Is there any rule under which I am obligated to get this done. I am worried she will point out any preexisting spots on the carpet as an excuse to force me to get the place cleaned or deduct my bond. Also there were X number of people strolling through the house on a weekly basis for the open houses, occasionally dragging in dirt, so why should I be held accountable for the carpets at all? How do you suggest I deal with this?
P.S it was a private rental and not through realestate agent
Most leases do require that the property be returned in the same state as it was when you moved in (except for normal wear and tear). At the time you moved in you would have/should have done an inspection report with photos which you can use to compare.
It is not a requirement to get things professionally cleaned - but doing so means less headache later, especially if the professional cleaner is someone recommended by the real estate agent cause then you can prove that the place has been cleaned fully and if they don't like the job that was done, they recommended them in the first place, so not your problem.