Landlord vs. Tenant: Deposit and Billing (lease, insurance, credit)

[zimcrusher]

I own a house.
I rented a room to a person ... call them "C".

C gave a $1000 security deposit.
C pays $550/month

C had to move out because I am selling the place.
I used the security deposit for the last month's rent $550, and
then sent $500 extra in a check. Total $1050.

C got mad, because I did not write "This $500 is for the rest of the Security Deposit", so C says "It doesn't count as a Security Deposit Return", and I still owe C $450.

I was out of town when C moved out, and C took my Washer, Dryer, and my (In wall) Surround Sound system. Totaling $4700 worth of stuff.

According to the laws I read on line, I have to BUY those things again, before I can send a bill. And, I have to do it within 30 days.

Well the house is sold, and the buyer only requested a $1000 credit.

Can I only send C a bill for $1000? even though they took $4700 worth of stuff? That seems like rewarding a Thief.

[MitchMiller]

Wow... seems like you should be able to have C arrested for theft of property. You should press charges and call C's bluff... just my take.

[r8ersgrl80]

I would not send C any more money. Did you make a report with the Police Station when your items where stolen?

But, I am a lil confused, did you give see any money back from his deposit?

Do you have any signed contracts stating that his deposit might not be refundable?

[PaddyMac]

I believe the mistake you made initially was in using the deposit to pay the last month's rent. A deposit is there to help pay for cleaning and damages; using half to pay the rent reduces the amount left for damages.

I agree that the items should be reported as stolen ASAP. These were not petty things like a lampshade or toaster...

[JackSparrow]

Call the police.

[mading6]

OMG I would die if a tenant did that to me. I would of definately called the police and pressed charges. What a b**ch. You are being so nice. But I am too nice to my tenants also. They think I am a softy. But I am not that nice.

I am getting the impression that you did not want to be bothered with all of this. Since you did sell the house and the new owner only wants $1000. but did you get offered a lowered price for this?

good luck!

[UB50]

Did the tenant have a lease with you? Did you break the lease when you sold the house?

This could be more complicated than just returning the security deposit...

[BennyPhoenix]

File a police report for stolen property. Then file a claim with your insurance company.

[Brandon26pdx]

File a police report, file a HOI insurance claim. If that gets denied for whatever reason (Ins. companies love to deny claims for the pettiest of reasons, after all...), take it to small claims court and let the judge straighten it out for the two of you. Shouldn't even need an attorney.

[katenik]

did anyone who responded to this thread today notice that the original post is from one year ago?