Landlord is a d-bag, any lawyers here?

[cw42]

I moved out of an apt last month, and according to the terms of the contract we're suppose to get our sec deposit back in 21 days. Its been past 21 days, and nothing. We've had disputes with the landlord for a while now, and theres been bad blood. He's an idiot, and I know he's trying to bs his way into delaying the return of the deposit. The next step I believe, is small claims court if he wants to keep playing these games...

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I hope you don't live in Arizona. If you do, you're screwed. Small claims court is the next step.

 

[IronWing]

Is there anything in the apartment you can go back and steal and sell for enough to recover the deposit?

 

[Regs]

Have you tried contacting him?

 

[cw42]

I'm in NYC.

Don't have keys to the apt, can't steal anything. :[

Tried contacting him, but he gave me a run around that he has to go check with his "office" on the date the sec deposit is suppose to be returned. It's bs, because its his own company, and he's the only one in it. His "office", is probably his kitchen at home.

 

[Savij]

I moved out of an apt last month, and according to the terms of the contract we're suppose to get our sec deposit back in 21 days. Its been past 21 days, and nothing. We've had disputes with the landlord for a while now, and theres been bad blood. He's an idiot, and I know he's trying to bs his way into delaying the return of the deposit. The next step I believe, is small claims court if he wants to keep playing these games...

Call him, and unless he gives you cash or check in person right then. Send a certified letter along with a copy of the contract highlighting the relevant area. If nothing happens repeat (certified letter) after two weeks along with a deadline to pay you. If you still don't have anything, go to small claims court. It won't get you anything, other than the court siding with you. But it will piss him off.

Unless it's over 3 to 4 hundred dollars, you would get the most out of writing two certified letters then putting enough rocks through his windows to impose the karma.

 

[Jeeebus]

I'm in NYC.

Don't have keys to the apt, can't steal anything. :[

Tried contacting him, but he gave me a run around that he has to go check with his "office" on the date the sec deposit is suppose to be returned. It's bs, because its his own company, and he's the only one in it. His "office", is probably his kitchen at home.

NYC has a very well developed and very tenant friendly set of landlord/tenant laws. Google them, take some of the language there, put it in a certified letter, and you'll get your deposit back. Yes, I'm a lawyer. Yes, I'm a member of the NY Bar. Yes, I'm too lazy to help any further.

 

[Raizinman]

I'm sure the lease also states that he can keep the security deposit for damage, clean up, and other non normal wear items. Unless you had him sign something that you left the apartment in the same condition as when you received it, you are pretty much out of luck, as he will claim that you stained the carpets, put holes in the walls, damaged the HVAC by not changing the filter, etc. etc. etc. That is the point of the security deposit - to pay for damage caused by the tennants. On the other hand, you should have had the manager inspect the apartment at the time of your leaving and had him either immediately return your security deposit or at least given you a letter that you left the premises in the same condition as when you received it. Otherwise, you could easily be in a boat without a paddle.

 

[XZeroII]

Talk to a lawyer. In Wisconsin, the landlord MUST give you your deposit back or send you a letter detailing why you didn't get it back within 21 days. If the landlord does not, you are entitled to I think it's 3x the security deposit back. Find out what your local laws are and get what is yours.

 

[Chunkee]

good thing you used the word douche bag and lawyers in the same sentence...