I recently moved out of a condo I had a 0ne year lease on. I gave written notice and phone notice. I did not give a specific date I was moving as I was purchasing a mobile home and had not yet found one. Rent was $1,295 monthly. Security deposit $2,000. Lease from 6/1/09 to 6/1/10. I returned the keys in March (march rent paid). I was told a month before that they would put the condo on the market and try to rent it right away. I paid rent in April and May. I ask why the property had not been rented and they told me they had not put it on the market as yet, the owners were trying to decide on whether they would replace the carpets. I had not cleaned the carpets because they were so badly stained that I felt they would have to be replaced. I made note when I rented, I had a round carpet and it would cover the stains. The carpets were badly stained when I moved in. Do I have any legal standing on the rent I had to pay when they made no effort to get the unit back on the market and told me I signed a lease and I had to 'pay. I paid the May rent and they didn't cash it until 5/7 (it cleared my bank). Now it is June 5 and I still do not have my deposit back. They plan to take out cleaning, repair wall where TV was hung and part of the new carpets which I have challenged and they are ignoring. What kind of legal action do I have if any. They won't even tell me how much they are keeping of the deposit.

What kind of legal action do I have if any, probably none as of now. Most states allow the LL up to 21 days to return security deposits so you may have a few weeks to go. The real question you should ask is if you had to pay for April or May at all since they did not show good faith in trying to rerent. I believe CA laws requires they show good faith. You may need to settle this in small claims.