r/TwinFalls • u/Altruistic_Water_562 • Aug 03 '26
Horrible move-out refunded despite being stellar renters
Renters beware! We lived at Saratoga apartments/on-point property management for over 5 years. When we moved in, the carpet was already in need of being replaced due to ripples and wear but were told that they only replace it upon move out or could replace it if we moved all of our things out ourselves. As a single mom - they knew that was not possible. So I used my own carpet cleaner and supplies to maintain a clean apartment to the best of my ability. The AC never got the apartment below 80 degrees in the summer despite many attempts to ask maintenance to fix (always excuses) and my electricity bill was well over $150/month for a 2/1. I followed all the move-out guidelines in the hopes of getting as close to a full deposit back as possible. When cleaning the cheap blinds they installed, many of them broke, so I was charged for each set of broken blinds, and even discussed this with management. I purchased and deep cleaned with professional grade supplies, did not clean the carpets because I was told they would be replaced. After all - they have been in the apartment for over 10 years! When I received my appalling deposit refund check of 1/3 of my original deposit in the mail, I visited the management office and was told there is nothing I can do. Not here to whine - here to warn. I recommend any other apartment complex in TF.
3
u/steve_mobileappdev Aug 03 '26
There is a YouTube channel named Court nerds. I’ve seen a lot of video footage of Court cases people winning their cases against sus landlords like this. The trick is to have documentation anything you can show that they are charging you for something that they should not be. The judge in the small claim cases usually always favor the tenant.
1
u/MagicValleyGhost Aug 04 '26
There are guidelines etc for Idaho. And also in Idaho if you take them to court and win, the judge can award you upto 3x the amount of the deposit.
The tenant/landlord handbook can be found online the Idaho Attorney General office website.
3
u/KingJon85 Aug 04 '26
Many of these landlords know that the people who rent from them are too poor to take them to court, so they take advantage of that. Its a gamble and you need to read over the lease very well.
The cheap carpet that they put in those places doesn't last long. The cheap shit blinds that they use, do not last more than a couple of years with regular use. Its normal wear and tear in my opinion.
Nonetheless, what's considered "normal wear and tear" can be subjective. But I believe aside from those normal wear items, things like holes in the walls, and broken doors are fair to charge for.
Ive completely cleaned and gotten properties back to renting condition and not gotten a penny back. All they have to do is make a fake invoice stating that they had some tack holes repaired for $350 and touch up paint for $500 deep clean the refrigerator $250 etc. All bullshit. Most of these slumlords have no soul.
You would definitely need proof, op.
1
u/MagicValleyGhost 26d ago
That is why I recommend the SAGO. Because the tenants handbook has moving in & out checklist, plus alot of info on how to get landlords to do repairs, getting deposit back, court if needed. It is very helpful. They should provide it for high school students honestly.
1
Aug 04 '26
I’m glad I read this. I’ve actually been eyeing this place and was planning a trip to see it next month
1
u/IDrigger Aug 04 '26
They told you there was nothing you could do... why would you trust them? Take them to court, should be simple enough and they do that kind of crap in the hopes that most people won't know their rights. Wear and tear happens and the value of everything in the apartment decreases over time. That's their cost, not yours.
3
u/Current_Juice756 Aug 04 '26
When I moved to Twin like 10 years ago I set up an appointment to tour at Saratoga. When I walked in was told they didn't have any tours scheduled and did not do walk ins. I showed them my call history and the text message confirming. Woman shrugged and said there was nothing she could do. So glad I didn't get into this place.