Rental Issues

[adpiucf]

I started my move-in at my new place on Sunday, the official start of our lease. We are renting a house near campus that is maintained by a local management company.

The place was filthy, and while there were spackle marks everywhere, they didn't repaint the walls and there were numerous holes in the walls. We also found some furniture and things belonging to the former tenants inside the house. And a very strong mildew smell and spotted some mold. We took over 200 photos and drafted 5 typed pages of the conditions of each room.

I called and emailed management last night and when they called me back this morning, they expressed surprise. Apparently cleaners had been to the house, someone from the management company had been by and said that she thought they did a "good job" prior to our move-in.

The cleaners are going back to reclean, but the managers said that they won't paint the walls (but are willing to give us paint if we want to do it ourselves).

This is an older house, and some wear and tear is to be expected... but at the very least I assumed it would be clean when I moved in. A total of 6 people saw the house yesterday when we unlocked it and they were all shocked at the dirt and the smell, as well.

I am so irritated right now, as is my roommate. I sent the landlord another note that we'll pay to have the place cleaned and painted if they'll deduct the cost from our rent. But this sucks-- my lease started yesterday. I'm paying rent and this place is completely uninhabitable. I shouldn't have to scour the walls and baseboards beyond some light cleaning upon move-in, and I shouldn't be responsible for painting over the former tenant's holes.