<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I just signed a 12-month lease with First Choice Housing (which was formerly known as Cal Student Housing). I was wondering if any of you has rented from that housing company as I have a question regarding deductions from deposits for painting of walls. </p>
<p>This specifically pertains to their “Addendum 2” of the lease - Wear and Tear Allowance. The first paragraph talks about painting of walls: </p>
<p>"1. It is understood and agreed that normal wear and tear shall meaning the following: </p>
<p>A. Provided the Resident occupies the apartment for AT LEAST twenty-four (24) months, Landlord shall assess NO CHARGES against the security deposit for the painting of walls provided walls are the same color as they were upon the Resident moving into the apartment.
B. Should the Resident occupy the apartment for LESS than twenty-four (24) months, a pro-rated charge will be assessed for painting which may be deducted from the security deposit, or if security deposit is not sufficient, shall be charged as an expense to the Lessee. Pro-rations shall be based on the following charges: </p>
<p>1 to 12 Months Occupancy Full Cost of Refurbishment
13 to 18 Months Occupany 1/2 Cost of Refurbishment
19 to 23 Months Occupancy 1/4 Cost of Refurbishment
24 Months Occupancy No Charge
"</p>
<p>When I read this, my understanding was (and is) that: As long as my stay there is less than 24 months, then, they will charge me fees for the painting of walls, regardless of the conditions of the walls when I vacate the apartment. That is, even if the walls are clean and free of marks when I move out, they will still charge me fees for painting. </p>
<p>This of course, is quite unfair. So before signing the lease, I asked the leasing agent about it. His response is that: Yes, you will be charged fees for painting if your stay is less than 24 months. I then asked him how much that would be, to which he responded that he needed to check with his supervisor. </p>
<p>After talking to his supervisor, he said something different: If the walls are free of marks and are the same color as you move in, you will not be charged fees for the painting of walls, even if your stay there is 12 months only. I then spoke to the supervisors who said the same thing. </p>
<p>I then argued with the three of them (leasing agent and two supervisors) that, if no fees are to be charged against my deposit provided the walls are kept in good condition, then this should be stated in the Addendum. As it is, the WRITTEN words in the lease suggest that a fee WILL be charged so long as my stay there is less than 24 months (which is my case, as I will stay there for only 12 months). I asked them to make annotations on the lease on this point and they refused. They said that I am the one who is not understanding the lease correctly, which is a ridiculous accusation. </p>
<p>Therefore, there is a discordance between the written wording of the lease and the oral interpretation of the lease that they provide me with. </p>
<p>Of course, at the end of the day, only WRITTEN words will prevail. </p>
<p>I signed the lease nonetheless, as I had no other options at this time and have to move in asap. </p>
<p>I just want to ask anyone who rented from First Choice Housing (Cal Student Housing) - If you stayed there less than 24 months, did they charge you a fee for painting (even if your walls were kept clean and all)? </p>
<p>What about other deductions from deposit? Did they make any unreasonable deductions? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>