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Old 10-09-2014, 11:12 AM
 
4 posts, read 6,067 times
Reputation: 10

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So, I rented an apartment from a private landlord (company) for 2 years. I lived there with my three children. The landlord and I had a good relationship, never had any problems even though the apartment was horrible. Anyways, I moved out July 31st, not expecting a full return of my security deposit, but I left the apartment in good condition. It took him 60 days to return my security deposit to me and when I finally received it he charged me $200 for "depreciation of wear and tear" on the carpet. I thought that I couldn't be charged for wear and tear on the carpet... I contacted him about it, but he just keeps saying he is checking on it or it seems like he has been ignoring my phone calls. This seems very unfair, the carpet wasn't new when I moved in and I did live there two years with 3 children. I think he is using that portion of my deposit to replace the carpet. I am thinking about taking him to court, but has anyone been through anything like this before?
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Old 10-09-2014, 11:43 AM
 
979 posts, read 1,775,389 times
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A landlord can't charge a tenant for what is typical/normal wear and tear. And certainly not for "depreciation." If that were allowable, no one would ever rent!
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Old 10-09-2014, 12:03 PM
 
4 posts, read 6,067 times
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Originally Posted by jillybean720 View Post
A landlord can't charge a tenant for what is typical/normal wear and tear. And certainly not for "depreciation." If that were allowable, no one would ever rent!
And that is what it says on my itemized list of deductions...200 for depreciation for wear and tear on carpet. I have contacted legal aid for advice but I'm thinking about going to small claims court with my itemized list as proof for what he is really charging me for.
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Old 10-10-2014, 05:50 AM
 
Location: Hampton Roads
3,032 posts, read 4,734,163 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssquire86 View Post
And that is what it says on my itemized list of deductions...200 for depreciation for wear and tear on carpet. I have contacted legal aid for advice but I'm thinking about going to small claims court with my itemized list as proof for what he is really charging me for.
Also, they must get you the security deposit or itemized list back in 45 days, so I would definitely consider taking them to court over that as well.
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Old 10-10-2014, 07:19 AM
 
Location: Central Virginia
6,556 posts, read 8,386,233 times
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According to Virginia law, a LL must return your security deposit, a list of itemized deductions, and receipts within 45 days. Because he didn't return these items to you within 45 days, you are entitled to a refund of your full security deposit.

Hang on to the check you received - Do not deposit it or cash it. That can be construed as your acceptance of the partial refund.

Was the lease a standard VA residential lease form? Such as this? http://varealtor.com/sites/default/f...-%208-5-11.pdf

Send a demand letter via certified mail requiring a signature demanding a full refund because of their failure to send an itemized deduction and the portion owed within 45 days as per item 3a. of the lease and be sure to include a mailing address for the deposit to be sent. Give them a reasonable time frame - say 7-10 days - to refund the deposit . If it's not returned, take them to small claims court.

Bottom line - they didn't comply with state law, so that makes any claims on your security deposit null and void.
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Old 10-10-2014, 09:04 AM
 
4 posts, read 6,067 times
Reputation: 10
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Originally Posted by randomlikeme View Post
Also, they must get you the security deposit or itemized list back in 45 days, so I would definitely consider taking them to court over that as well.
Thank you for the information. I did not know that.
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Old 10-10-2014, 09:10 AM
 
4 posts, read 6,067 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by HokieFan View Post
According to Virginia law, a LL must return your security deposit, a list of itemized deductions, and receipts within 45 days. Because he didn't return these items to you within 45 days, you are entitled to a refund of your full security deposit.

Hang on to the check you received - Do not deposit it or cash it. That can be construed as your acceptance of the partial refund.

Was the lease a standard VA residential lease form? Such as this? http://varealtor.com/sites/default/f...-%208-5-11.pdf

Send a demand letter via certified mail requiring a signature demanding a full refund because of their failure to send an itemized deduction and the portion owed within 45 days as per item 3a. of the lease and be sure to include a mailing address for the deposit to be sent. Give them a reasonable time frame - say 7-10 days - to refund the deposit . If it's not returned, take them to small claims court.

Bottom line - they didn't comply with state law, so that makes any claims on your security deposit null and void.
Thank you for the information. I did cash the checks he sent but I still have them because I deposited them using my smartphone. The LL has contacted me though...he wants me to talk with him because he feels I was charged for things I shouldn't have been charged for because he does not do the walkthroughs.
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