Q: Just ended one year lease on Tigard, OR townhome. Landlord is charging me for maintenance work.
He wants $400 for 1. replace smoke detector batteries 2. replace furnace filter 3. replace burnt out light bulbs 4. replace toilet seats ( I have no idea why ) 5. cleaning after repairs were made. Can he legally do this?
A:
Yes, he can do it - and you can contest the charges if you wish. The big question, at least from your posting, is how much cleaning needed to be done and whether it, combined with the other items, is really worth $400?
Assuming the landlord is withholding it from a security deposit refund, your choice is to either accept it or file suit against the landlord for withholding funds he was not entitled to. If you win, you can get twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus your court costs and attorney's fees if you use one (though this appears to be most appropriately a small claims type of case). Everything except the cleaning would arguably be normal wear and tear and on the landlord, though specific facts could change that conclusion.
Best of luck.
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