Any land lords ever had the pleasure of evicting tenants?

I would simply start by sending the landlord a strongly worded text (everything in writing) Lay out that he rented it and allowed the new tenant to move in even before your actual lease was up....that he stole the time from you to do the proper final cleaning, and therefore you should not have anything withheld from the deposit for cleaning purposes. That, if he disagrees, you would be happy to look at your options. Just let him know that you are not going to be taken advantage of. I think wording it, that HE stole your time to get it cleaned and therefore avoiding any cleaning fees is a fault of his, and he may just be a nicer guy(may not) and give you the full deposit. If not, you don't have to go further, but it at least lets him know you have the option and that you know your rights.

I am a good landlord and would completely give you back your deposit if I did that...but I also know I am unique as a landlord in many ways

jeeper said:

Double false.
Small claims only allows ACTUAL cost to be recovered, not pain/suffering/etc.
Cleaning and 1 day rent costs are what, less than $300?? Filing a claim cost around $150, plus time off work to go to court.

Nothing forces the loser to pay, unless you file again for garnishments, so it cost you more again.. and if you don’t have his employer or bank account number good luck getting it through.

I’ve been sued and have sued multiple times. It has never benefited me financially and has always been a loss.. but sometimes it just needs to be done on principle.

Being a pain to him over and over will maybe net a full return of the cleaning fee. Or it might not.

Click to expand...

I too have never come out of court happy or with a true win. It's taxing on the wallet and the soul.

jeeper said:

Double false.
Small claims only allows ACTUAL cost to be recovered, not pain/suffering/etc.
Cleaning and 1 day rent costs are what, less than $300?? Filing a claim cost around $150, plus time off work to go to court.

Nothing forces the loser to pay, unless you file again for garnishments, so it cost you more again.. and if you don’t have his employer or bank account number good luck getting it through.

I’ve been sued and have sued multiple times. It has never benefited me financially and has always been a loss.. but sometimes it just needs to be done on principle.

Being a pain to him over and over will maybe net a full return of the cleaning fee. Or it might not.

Click to expand...

Booo. In the context of legal advice given on an off road forum, my idea is more fun. Sticking it to douche landlords is always the winning answer, even if it results in low dollars. I helped my BIL send a strongly worded letter to his landlord that netted him $1500 in withheld deposit being refunded, to this day one of the most satisfying things ever.

You are confusing spite with profit...both are rewarding

Hope it's not a bill for extra cleaning costs.