Can a Landlord charge a $200 fee for the battery replacement of a smoke detector?

9V batteries, the type commonly found in smoke detectors, do not cost anywhere near $200. They are sold singly for about $5 and in packs for about $2. New battery-operated smoke detectors usually come with batteries and do not cost anywhere near $200. RCW 59.18.130 (Duties of tenant) provides that the tenant has the duty to (7) Maintain the smoke detection device in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, including the replacement of batteries where required for the proper operation of the smoke detection device, as required in *RCW 48.48.140(3); The statutes are at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18 . The reasonable labor cost to replace a battery should not be anywhere near $200. To keep deposits, a landlord must follow many very specific statutes. You can review the statutes to see if your landlord has fully complied with the statutes. If your landlord kept your deposit, one option for you is to file a claim in small claims court to get the money back. You can review your specific facts with your attorney to find out your legal options. While attorneys are generally not allow to represent others in small claims courts in WA, the cost of consulting with attorneys can be awarded to the winning party in small claims court.

I agree with Mr. Nguyen that this could be a good case for small claims. You are not responsible for entire remodels after you leave. Your landlord is not entitled to recover rent from TWO tenants for the same time period. This underscores the need for a walk through checklist at the beginning and the end of the tenancy. If she is charging you for damage that all ready existed when you moved in, then a court will likely require her to return your deposit. BE SURE to ask for twice your deposit (see RCW 59 18 280). And $200 for a smoke detector battery is simply not reasonable, and I don't see how a court could find it legal, either. Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell