Security Deposit Info

[Cleopatra_J]

I moved out of my old apartment, and just got my notice from the landlord about the security charges.

They are charging for things that aren't true: 29 holes in the wall, repainting the whole apartment, and a leaking toilet among other things. One of the biggest is a door & lock

Now, I took pictures of my apartment before I moved. The only room I painted was the foyer, and I painted it back white before moving out. The door and lock were destroyed by their super, because the day I went to move the last of my things out, someone tried to break in, and a key was stuck. I have a police report to document it.. I also took pictures of EVERY room before I moved out and it shows white walls, no holes, and basically nothing besides normal wear and tear. Which they can't charge for as it states in the NJ Truth in Renting handbook...

I was going to first call them, set up a meeting and show the pictures and police report. The only thing I can't dispute is a leaking toilet, but I swear my toilet NEVER leaked ... and if that doesn't work, go to small claims court ...

Can I do anything else? Am I going about this the right way?

 

[dwnsouth]

I moved out of my old apartment, and just got my notice from the landlord about the security charges.

They are charging for things that aren't true: 29 holes in the wall, repainting the whole apartment, and a leaking toilet among other things. One of the biggest is a door & lock

Now, I took pictures of my apartment before I moved. The only room I painted was the foyer, and I painted it back white before moving out. The door and lock were destroyed by their super, because the day I went to move the last of my things out, someone tried to break in, and a key was stuck. I have a police report to document it.. I also took pictures of EVERY room before I moved out and it shows white walls, no holes, and basically nothing besides normal wear and tear. Which they can't charge for as it states in the NJ Truth in Renting handbook...

I was going to first call them, set up a meeting and show the pictures and police report. The only thing I can't dispute is a leaking toilet, but I swear my toilet NEVER leaked ... and if that doesn't work, go to small claims court ...

Can I do anything else? Am I going about this the right way?

the law varies from state to state....around here they do walk through after you move out to check for damage. it seems that your landlord didn't..but fortunately you took pictures which will help you in small claims court....epically the police report......make copies of everything

I watch a lot of people court and you have a solid case if it comes to that. go ahead and check with your local agency that handles landlord who rent and see what your next step should be.

 

[Cleopatra_J]

Not that anyone replied .. buttt

I met with the former landlord, and he couldn't provide receipts for work that he claimed was done. All the costs were "estimates from his walk through." He also kept saying that "someone has to recoup the cost he put out to paint the apartment before renting it[ out[ again." I kept reiterating that I did what I am required to, In NJ you only have to leave the apartment "broom clean" and telling him he can't charge me for "normal wear and tear." Unfortunately he was unwilling to refund more than 300 of my 800 deposit. Soo.. I left the office and drove straight to small claims court. I sued for the max NJ allows, which is 2x your deposit. I don't even want to do this. I just want my damn money!

 

[dwnsouth]

Not that anyone replied .. buttt

I met with the former landlord, and he couldn't provide receipts for work that he claimed was done. All the costs were "estimates from his walk through." He also kept saying that "someone has to recoup the cost he put out to paint the apartment before renting it[ out[ again." I kept reiterating that I did what I am required to, In NJ you only have to leave the apartment "broom clean" and telling him he can't charge me for "normal wear and tear." Unfortunately he was unwilling to refund more than 300 of my 800 deposit. Soo.. I left the office and drove straight to small claims court. I sued for the max NJ allows, which is 2x your deposit. I don't even want to do this. I just want my damn money!

so my reply doesnt count?

 

[Cleopatra_J]

of course it counts..

I guess, I should rephrase..

Since there weren't MANY replies

 

[Sah S!NCere]

good luck in small claims court. it just takes time. i hope you have enough to pull thru til u get ur deposit.

i took me 5 months to get my security deposit when i moved out of my old apartment.

 

[Cleopatra_J]

Thanks!

I go to court on March 1st ... I'm very nervous and anxious of what may come...

 

[Adam Knows]

i don't know the laws where you live but here, as a landlord we can't hold the tenant repsonsible for normal wear and tear (even though we do)

a leaky toilet you can't be held responsible for it unless it's clearly shown that you damaged it.

29 holes? i'm sure you've taken general pictures during your stay there that shows that there weren't any holes.