My ex-roommate made kitchen really dirty and left . Can I file a suit in small-claims court?

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   Rixon Rafter

   Fairfax Landlord / Tenant Lawyer

   Contributor Level 20

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   Answered January 24, 2013 10:34. Unclear what you mean by 'left'. Did he terminate early? Breach contract? Do you have evidence if this agreement? Can you show that absent the grease you would not have had a cleaning fee? Can you apportion the proper percentage of the overall cleaning fee to HIS cooking? Who set the cleaning fee and who determined it had to be a professional cleaner?
   My two cents, not worth the trouble,its not clear that you even have an arguable case.

   READ THIS BEFORE CALLING OR EMAILING ME: I am licensed to practice before the state and federal courts in Virginia.... moreREAD THIS BEFORE CALLING OR EMAILING ME: I am licensed to practice before the state and federal courts in Virginia. We have not established an attorney-client relationship unless we have a signed representation agreement and you have paid me. I am providing educational instruction only--not legal advice. You should speak with an attorney to whom you have provided all the facts, before you take steps that may impact your legal rights. I am not obligated to answer subsequent emails or phone calls unless you have hired me. I wish you the best of luck with your situation. less

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   Brandy PeeplesPro

   Frederick Litigation Lawyer

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   Answered January 22, 2013 08:57. Technically speaking, you have a legitimate complaint and may have an oral contract which your roommate breached.
   
   Practically speaking, however, the time and effort spent in filing a small claims action, serving the defendant, and in going to court will be more of an effort than what the case is worth. If I were you, as angry as I would be, I'd chalk it up to a lesson learned through experience and move on.

   DISCLAIMER: Brandy A. Peeples is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland. This answer is being provided... moreDISCLAIMER: Brandy A. Peeples is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland. This answer is being provided for informational purposes only and the laws of your jurisdiction may differ. This answer based on general legal principles and is not intended for the purpose of providing specific legal advice or opinions. Under no circumstances does this answer constitute the establishment of an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice relating to your specific situation, I strongly urge you to consult with an attorney in your area. NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ME ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS ARISING FROM AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AND NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITH ME UNLESS I HAVE EXPRESSLY AGREED TO UNDERTAKE YOUR REPRESENTATION, WHICH INCLUDES THE EXECUTION OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OF RETAINER. less

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   Michael Juarez

   San Diego Landlord / Tenant Lawyer

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   Answered January 22, 2013 09:21. Ms. Peeples is right. If you want to pursue court action this link takes you to the small claims court procedures in VA http://www.courts.state.va.us/resources/small_c...

   -Michael R. Juarez Law Office of Juarez and Schaeffer PO Box 16216 San Diego, CA 92105 (619) 804-4327 www.jslaw.... more-Michael R. Juarez Law Office of Juarez and Schaeffer PO Box 16216 San Diego, CA 92105 (619) 804-4327 www.jslaw.org Mike@jslaw.org This posting is provided for “information purposes” only and should not be relied upon as "legal advice." Nothing transmitted from this posting constitutes the establishment of an attorney-client relationship. Applicability of the legal principles discussed here may differ substantially in individual situations or in different jurisdictions. less

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