Avalon move out policy?

Have you tipped your super well during the time you lived there?

When we were looking for an apartment our broker told us to avoid Avalon because they have a lot of hidden costs, one of them being the high move out cost. So I guess yout experience is pretty typical. I also heard that since Avalon's profit model is based on high turnover rates, they raise their rents significantly at the end of the lease term to get current tenants to move out and new tenants to move in.

Are you still in your apartment, or have you moved already?
Normal wear and tear include small scratches, but not deep gouges or holes, and sometimes it is subjective. It helps to take pictures when you move in and when you move out, to document the condition of the walls/floors/kitchen/bathrooms, and it helps to have a walk-through with their staff/agent to make sure everyone is on the same page.
If you haven't moved out, take some pictures and negotiate. If you have moved out already without any documentation, go back and ask for a final walk-through. Next step is to play hardball via mail (firm words to let them know they have 30 days to refund your full deposit plus interest or you will report them to the NY State AG.) Some landlords just play the odds, and take a few hundred dollars just because it's easy and few people will fight.

How do you play "hardball via mail"?

Also, since nowhere does it say they have to return your deposit within 30 days (the standard is is "reasonable period of time"), the NYS AG isn't doing anything when they receive your complaint in 30 days.

Better to go to Small Claims Court. & take those pictures.

Why bother with reporting to the NY State AG? Just sue them in small claims court. Everyone I know who has taken this route has won.

Your story is typical of Avalon. THey do that stunt to everybody. That's why when I moved out of an Avalon complex in NJ I did not pa the last month's rent and used my deposit. I had one neighbor and when he moved out he was missing light bulbs, so they charged him $1 per bulb even though you can buy the same bulb for 25 cents at any store.

I was told when I signed my lease that if I signed a 13 month lease, the last month was free. When the 13th month rolled around they did not honor their word and want me to pay rent for the month. They tried to say that the promotion ended the day before I moved in. Then why would I have a 13 month lease?? Doesn't make any sense! Watch out for these guys.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, similar experience. After I moved out, they charged me $780 in total for cleaning fee and carpet spots. I shared the cleaning receipt with them, but they didn't accept it. I asked them to show the proof of carpet spots, they didn't. BTW, I lived in a 1 bedroom apartment, only the bedroom has carpet, I don't think there were spots there. I called them more than ten times and went to their office at the weekends. They just said they would discuss with their manager and maintenance. I'm very disappointed with them. 0 stars.