"Hi, Leo, this is Stacie, formerly of (address). I'm calling regarding

the whereabouts of my security deposit. As you know, I vacated the apartment on April 30, and mailed the keys back to you on the next business day. I did not hear anything regarding the condition of the apartment within the mandated three weeks, so I will assume all is well and you just haven't been able to send me the check. Please remit it to Stacie (spells last name), (address); if you have questions, I can be reached at (phone). Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter."

What'll be the ultimate resolution?

I reported the asshole landlord to the Attonrey Generals Office and they aggreed to handle the situation. That was in Nov. I still haven't gotten anything or heard any updates from the AGs office :grr:

My prior landlord is not an asshole -- just extrordinarily flaky -- so I don't think he absconded with my deposit on purpose. Still. Gotta light a fire and keep Wisconsin Administrative Code, ATCP 134.06, sec. 2(a), handy just in case.

cause they have very specific rules about what they handle. My old landlord is an ASSHOLE and claimed that it cost so much money to paint the apartment when we left we wouldn't get our security deposit back. Which is total BS cause the walls were white and the landlord BY LAW is required to paint before new tenants more in. A paint job IS NOT DAMAGES under NY law, so the AG took our case. Still, have no idea if we'll ever see our money again.

so we can be a posse and go and duff-up said landlord?

the asshat certainly has it coming to him :grr:

:hi:

If not, they'll claim you left it in a shambles and the security deposit went towards cleanup. I got in the habit of video taping (with a time/date code) the whole apartment a few times after moving. It's much easier getting your security deposits back when you have physical evidence.

I have pictures, including one with the day's paper.

n/t

Move the weekend after thanksgiving. Spend two full days scrubbing the place down after five years of residency. Offer to have the carpets professionally cleaned, and be told by the landlord that he's selling the place and the new owner will put down hardwood floors so don't worry about it. Turn in keys.

Wait 7 weeks. Call twice with no reply. Send a letter with a copy of NH renter's rights folded inside inquiring about the security deposit.

Three weeks later receive a letter stating that there won't be a security deposit refund because the guys I hired to clean the place after you left said "you lived like animals".

Stunned, send another letter demanding photos of the place pre-pro cleaning, letters testifying to the condition of the place from the professional cleaners, a detailed list of things that appear "beyond typical wear and tear" annotated with estimated costs to replace, and demand it be in your posession within five business days or it goes to small claims.

Receive check for half of security deposit five days later.

Give up.

I was there for a year and a half; the place was not in good shape when I got there (and Leo admitted such on multiple occasions).


The only reasonable thing he could charge me for (which he can't legally do anymore, since it's been more than 21 days with nary a peep) would be for some gunk on the top of the fridge (rotten banana ooze :puke:) that I tried valiantly to remove, but a little remains and will likely remain until the end. (Why they make fridge surfaces out of that bumpy stuff, I'll never know.)

I got my deposit back in full when I rented from a leasing company that owned several properties. I got zip, zero, nada the last time I moved from a guy that rented out the overpriced efficiency that Cathy and I rented before we moved to our current place.

The only suit in which he's been a defendent (sued by three of his tenants) was in 1996, and that ended in "stipulated dismissal" -- meaning the parties settled.

He's got a bunch of properties (well, he's in the process of selling most), and owns a mortgage company, so he does still have a good name to protect.

I suspect if I pester him enough, I'll win without actually having to file suit.

It took me about 6 weeks to get my deposit back from the large property holder. I was shocked that I got it back in full.

I sent the "strongly worded letter" quoting PA renters law and elaborating on how she (irresponsible, manipulative slumlord) was in violation of it. Then I threatened to sue for triple damages. One tearful phone conversation (tears on her end of the line, firm insistence on mine) and 4 days later, I received a check in the mail for the full amount of my deposit.

Threatening legal action hits these weasels in the only thing they care about - their pocketbooks! I say stick it to the man and write that letter today!

During Vietnam I was stationed next door to the Pentagon. My former NJ landlord had a reputation of never giving back deposits. I tried for six months. Then I visited the Navy AG office in the Pentagon. The Navy Captain said "let me make a phone call". He called the landlord's office, announced who he was, where he was from, why and for whom he was calling. This was a moment of truth for the landlord, realizing that I had vast, unlimited legal resources to expend to get back my $125 deposit.

Within a week I received a check for a full refund of my deposit.

Ain't the military grand!

:woohoo:

is having a medical problem that is taking all of his spare time. He is reminded of his duty with this phone call and he will be going to the bank tomorrow am to get a cashiers check for the total dollar amout plus interest.