Yeah there was a whole list of things and the fine for not cleaning the items. So you had to make sure you got it super clean or you would get all the fines.

Of which amounted to something close to $1000.

I spent 2 days cleaning it when I moved out to make sure I didn't get any of the fines.

You can basically get black listed as a renter if you don't clean well.

A "move in" fee is not a deposit. It's more like a goodwill payment, or you could call it a front pocket fee, even if there's nobody else in queue. Obviously whoever is willing to pay the most gets the first choice.

It's shady as fuck and also illegal where I live, but people still pay it instead of risking not getting the apartment. Sadly, nobody cares enough to take these scumbags to court over it. You can choose not to pay it but then you just don't get the apartment, and if so, why'd you want to waste your time and money on a lawyer, when there's nothing to win from doing so.

At least in Chicago, many landlords require references from past landlords when you are applying for a new apartment, so flaking on rent or trashing a place before moving out can doom your future endeavors.

Unless you get lucky and find a private owner to rent from that doesn't bother with checking backgrounds.

Then you just have to deal with them taking ages to repair anything and letting themselves into your apartment unannounced to 'check on things'.

Just give your landlord a burner phone number. Don't even clean the jizz stains when you leave.