probably not since $1200 for a new counter isn't that out of the normal price range

Don’t pay it, demand they charge less or take you to court.

$1200 is a reasonable replacement cost for a counter top.

You have 3 options,

1. pay and move on.

2. dont pay and let it go to collections.

3. take them to small claims court but I don't see a way for you win.

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That's interesting. In my state they can withhold the security deposit and take you to small claims court for any damages exceeding the deposit amount.

And they'll start collections on you, and charge you for court costs as well, if they win. Up to you to assess the risk of doing this.

Demand the itemised receipt detailing exactly what all the charges are for. It is entirely possible that they simply replaced the counter

What state is that? Find it difficult to believe you can go nuts and cause $10k+ in damage and then just walk away with only your security deposit lost.

I would say that is not typical and likely not true but let me know what state you are in

How old was the counter top, and what was it? Like if they took 20 year old Formica and put marmolian (I don't even know what that is, it sounds almost like a prehistoric animal! Or is it carpet?)?

Either that or the deposits are huge!

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Yeah, this is absolutely incorrect.

In literally every state you can collect damages in excess of the security deposit. Some have rules about how you do the collecting, but the security deposit is not a ceiling on damages that may be collected.

There are definitely states that let you require a large deposit.

Dude you ruined the counters. $1200 is a decent price for cheap countertops. You are entitled to several bids I believe

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1200 is a great price especially if it was granite because if it was the stained then all of it needs to be replaced. I got Quartz because it holds up better. But 1200 is a deal

What state are you in? Your rights vary depending on what stats you are in.

All they can do is hold your $1,200 of security deposit that why a lot of tenants do not pay last month rent and let them keep the security deposit. You can demand a itemized bill and take them to small claims but you may lose

If you did not pay last month's rent or already got your deposit back. The landlord can sue in small claims court but they have to sue at you new address unless your still in the same city/town as the old apt., Note in some states its the county.

Which they most likely had to do.

Who replaces a countertop in a rental for a stain? Did they show you proof they did anything?

Depends on the size of the stain and how bad it was… nothing wrong with getting an itemized bill, but it’s also not wrong for them to replace something that is damaged and can’t be repaired.