I moved out on March 9th, and I have been calling my landlord to see when she would be sendinf my security deposit. She wasn't answering the phone at first, so I left her messages over the course of a week or so, she never returned my calls. I called her this morning and se finally answered the phone and states that, she has been out of town, for a couple of days, on some type of family emergency, and that she will get back to me on Monday, in regards to my deposit. She is procrastinating, is there anything I can do? or is there a certain length that she can hold on to my sec deposit??

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Originally Posted by bili

I moved out on March 9th, and I have been calling my landlord to see when she would be sendinf my security deposit. She wasn't answering the phone at first, so I left her messages over the course of a week or so, she never returned my calls. I called her this morning and se finally answered the phone and states that, she has been out of town, for a couple of days, on some type of family emergency, and that she will get back to me on Monday, in regards to my deposit. She is procrastinating, is there anything I can do? or is there a certain length that she can hold on to my sec deposit??

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Depends on the State - where are you?

Hello bili:

Most states have such requirements, but they're not all the same. You can find your states laws right here at the top of the page on a sticky note.

In general, it would be 14 days after you move out. However, some states require you to make a written demand first...

The thing is, read your states law on the matter. If she's violating it, sue her in small claims court. It's quick, cheap and easy.

excon

It's 30 days here, I wouldn't panic yet.

You want to check your state laws on this ASAP. In many states where there is a time frame in which the deposit has to be returned there are penalties for not doing so. Generally the law states the deposit or an accounting of what the deposit was used for has to be presented within x days (usually ranging from 14 to 45 days). If this is not done, then the landlord is liable for double and sometimes treble damages. In other words, if your deposit was $1K, then they might owe you $2K or even $3K.

So you want to know what the law is then you don't want to bug the landlord until after the deadline. If they don't meet the deadline, file in small claims court for the deposit plus penalties.