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-   -   Landlord trying to keep deposit for items I have no control over (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=252035)

  • Aug 23, 2008, 06:13 AM
    pink_angel
    Landlord trying to keep deposit for items I have no control over
    My landlord is trying to keep my security deposit for stuff that I do not believe I am responsible for. I called her the other day to find out if she had gotten the keys I sent to her and when I talked to her I had asked her when she would be giving me my deposit back and that's when she told me that there are a few things wrong. So I asked her what they were and she said that the kitchen light was not working, which is true it was like that when I moved in. Then see also said that there was something wrong with the faucet but she did not go into details about it, and she also said there was something wrong with the air conditioner,but again she did not tell me what. I only lived there for about three months. And she had no way of knowing what was wrong with the place before I moved in cause there was no water or electric on and she told me that she had not been over to the house to see the condition of it. So what I'm asking is can I be held responsible for the light in the kitchen, the faucet,and the air conditioner? And I live in Missouri.
  • Aug 23, 2008, 07:07 AM
    N0help4u
    The landlord in most states is required to send you your deposit and/or an itemized list of deductions within a specific amount of time (usually something like 15 to 30 days).
    You should have given her a list of thing wrong with the place as soon as you moved in.
    Now it will be your word against her word pretty much. She still needs to send you an itemized list of her claims of problems. You may need to take her to small claims court but still it will be her word against yours. Always make a list and even take pictures, or better a video of pre existing problems WHEN you move in anywhere.
  • Aug 23, 2008, 07:57 AM
    rockinmommy
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by N0help4u
    The landlord in most states is required to send you your deposit and/or an itemized list of deductions within a specific amount of time (usually something like 15 to 30 days).
    You should have given her a list of thing wrong with the place as soon as you moved in.
    Now it will be your word against her word pretty much. She still needs to send you an itemized list of her claims of problems. You may need to take her to small claims court but still it will be her word against yours. Always make a list and even take pictures, or better a video of pre existing problems WHEN you move in anywhere.

    I agree. Write a letter explaining what you just told us. State in the letter that you expect to receive a full refund of your security deposit by whatever the cut-off date is.

    If that doesn't happen, then you need to decide if it's worth suing her for.

    Your lease should state the deposit return policy, and I'd cross-check that with your state's landlord/tenant law. There's a sticky at the top of the page with links for each state.

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