Court Rules on Landlord's Unjust Deposit Deduction for Repainting and Cleaning

When tenants move out, landlords typically inspect the property and return the deposit after confirming any damages. Recently, a netizen posted about their experience where, despite hiring a cleaning company and cleaning the air conditioners and washing machine, the landlord refused to return the full deposit. The tenant expressed their frustration, stating they were 'so angry they didn't know what to say.' The landlord demanded the property be restored to its original condition, including repainting, but the tenant still did not receive the full deposit. A netizen posted on the social media platform 'Threads' about their experience where, despite hiring a cleaning company and cleaning the refrigerator and three air conditioners, the landlord refused to return the full deposit. After negotiations with the real estate agent, only a portion was returned. The tenant expressed their frustration, stating they were 'so angry they didn't know what to say.' After the post went viral, many netizens commented, expressing their own experiences and opinions. Some suggested taking legal action, stating that typically, only up to 1,000 NT dollars can be deducted for cleaning fees. Others shared their own experiences of similar disputes and how they were resolved. The court ruled that the landlord must return 3,500 NT dollars to the tenant, based on the terms of the lease agreement.