I left my previous apartment sort of messy. I left behind a few boxes of stuff, some trash, and a lot of dishes etc. My ex, who had moved in with me had left 2 holes in the wall, and my cats had destroyed a small part of the carpet. I was not ready to move. I asked if there was anyway I could renew my lease, but they had already rented my apartment to someone else. I, unfortunately did not have anyone to help me. So, with bronchitis, I struggled to get everything out by the last day. I left a note with my keys etc. in the leasing office's drop box. I explained in the note that I was very sick, had no one to help me move, and had to leave a lot of stuff behind. I also said that I did not expect to get my security deposit back etc. I left my phone number and forwarding address. I have heard nothing from them. I gave them over $1200 in deposits.

My question is... I am going to be applying for apartments next week. I did not break my lease, and was never late on my rent. I was there for 2 years. Since I lost my security deposit, can they say anything that will seriously prevent me from getting another apartment? It was my first apartment.

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Originally Posted by fireflyfairies

I left my previous apartment sort of messy. I left behind a few boxes of stuff, some trash, and a lot of dishes etc. My ex, who had moved in with me had left 2 holes in the wall, and my cats had destroyed a small part of the carpet. I was not ready to move. I asked if there was anyway I could renew my lease, but they had already rented my apartment to someone else. I, unfortunately did not have anyone to help me. So, with bronchitis, I struggled to get everything out by the last day. I left a note with my keys etc. in the leasing office's drop box. I explained in the note that I was very sick, had no one to help me move, and had to leave a lot of stuff behind. I also said that I did not expect to get my security deposit back etc. I left my phone number and forwarding address. I have heard nothing from them. I gave them over $1200 in deposits.

My question is....I am going to be applying for apartments next week. I did not break my lease, and was never late on my rent. I was there for 2 years. Since I lost my security deposit, can they say anything that will seriously prevent me from getting another apartment? It was my first apartment.

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From the perspective of your previous landlords you were not a good tenant, due to damage and the condition in which you left the apartment. It is possible that theywill give you a not so good reference, but you won't know until you try, and anyway, they had 1,200.00 which would not only fix the carpet, the holes and the mess, but would also give them a handsome profit.

Good luck.

The landlord can say that you paid your rent on time. They can also say that you left the apartment in a pigsty.

They can come back at you for replacing the carpet - which will cost more than the $1,200.00 you had given as deposits. Fixing the holes in the wall - yes you can be liable for if you were the only one on the lease. If they sue you and win, you have to sue your former boyfriend to recoup your losses. General cleaning is taken out of your deposits. They can bill you so much per hour for cleaning ( here the average rate is $10.00-$15.00/hr). Anything they have to replace like stove top burners, you are charged for and that comes out of the deposits.

So yes, the landlord can choose to give you a negative reference. If that happens, you can explain to the prospective landlord just what happened with your illness. Some people show compassion. While some just do not give a rat's behind.

Wishing you the best in locating a new place to live.