12/18/25
Charged for "Refrigerator Polish"
My tenancy at Aria of Zionsville was largely uneventful, but the move-out process left a very poor impression.
After vacating, I was charged $180 for “refrigerator polish” based solely on cosmetic wear to a stainless-steel refrigerator. The condition cited consisted of light surface scratches and scuffing typical of normal residential use of stainless appliances over the course of a lease. There was no functional damage, no dents, and no structural issues.
When I questioned the charge,... management asserted, without objective testing or clear evidence, that the wear resulted from “improper cleaning” and required specialty restoration. A third-party vendor was hired, and the cost of this cosmetic service was passed on to me. Standard turnover cleaning was not clearly documented as having been attempted first.
The charge ultimately came down to subjective judgments about appearance rather than demonstrable tenant-caused damage. Renters should be aware that cosmetic restoration services may be classified as “damage” at move-out, even when the condition appears consistent with ordinary wear and tear.
I strongly recommend that prospective tenants document appliance condition in detail at move-in and move-out and be prepared to challenge discretionary move-out charges.
Review from Apartments.com
Property Manager at Aria Apartments of Zionsville responded to this review
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your move-out experience at ARIA Apartments.
We appreciate you acknowledging that your residency was otherwise uneventful, though we are sorry to hear that the final account reconciliation left you with... a negative impression. Our goal is always to apply move-out assessments consistently and in accordance with our lease standards and vendor recommendations.
Regarding stainless steel appliances, our policy distinguishes between ordinary wear and conditions that require restoration to return the item to its original finish. When surface scratching or finish disruption exceeds what is considered routine use, a professional restoration service may be required. In such cases, we engage a third-party vendor to assess and perform the work to ensure objectivity and quality. Charges are based on vendor invoices rather than discretionary estimates.
We understand that interpretations of wear and tear can feel subjective, and we encourage all residents to complete detailed move-in and move-out documentation, including photographs, to help avoid any misunderstandings.
We value all resident feedback and are always willing to review concerns directly. If you would like us to revisit any aspect of your account, please contact our management team so we can discuss it further.
Sincerely,
ARIA Apartments Management Team