If I requested to have office staff do move-out walk-through with me, can they send themaintenance staff instead?
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If I requested to have office staff do move-out walk-through with me, can they send themaintenance staff instead?
I’m moving out of my apartment. We’ve had problems with the office staff in the past (which is why we moved) and now they’re trying to tell me that one of the maintenance staff will do the walk-through with us. I requested to have someone from the office do it but they refused, stating that it was against company policy. Can they do that? It makes since to me that the people whom did the original move-in walk through should also do the move-out as well.
Asked on August 28, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Colorado
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
The maintenance staff can do the walk-through because they are the agents or employees of the landlord. With their experience of performing maintenance in the apartment complex, maintenance staff will be able to determine whether or not damage has occurred and the type of repair that may be needed. The fact that maintenance didn't do the initial walk-through is not a problem because the person who does the final (move-out) walk-through will be referring to the form that was completed during the initial (move-in) walk-through listing damaged items to determine whether or not additional damage has occurred. If the office staff had done the final walk-through, they would be following the same procedure. Without referring to the original form from the move-in walk-through, it is unlikely they would remember damage from the move-in walk-through.
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