Security Deposit Wrongfully Withheld

[kjg1963]

I'm just curious how the landlord can charge you a month of his mortgage payment. You gave appropriate notice, did a walk-through, and he kept your deposit for cleaning. Still baffled by the mortgage payment thing. Also, if your place was just dirty and not damaged, why so long to get it shown to prospective tenants. Not sure what your deposit was but if he took it all for cleaning than I would hope he had a professional cleaning company come in. They coulda cleaned it up in a day.

[Merjolie8]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

I doubt that a future landlord would look at this as a negative. You didn't get your security deposit back. IMO it is a legit lawsuit you have every right to file. Plus it is YOUR money!

I guess it would depend on the location, but a while back we went the Small
Claims route for some illegal deductions to our Security Deposit and it has impacted our ability to rent. Maybe those were slumlords and we just dodged a bullet, but we have been denied rentals and our credit and references are excellent.

But still you should fight for your money. Maybe if you get a lawyer to sent a letter to LL asking for the SD and threatening with Small Claims, the LL would me more responsive and you might get your money back without going to court.

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by Merjolie8

I guess it would depend on the location, but a while back we went the Small
Claims route for some illegal deductions to our Security Deposit and it has impacted our ability to rent. Maybe those were slumlords and we just dodged a bullet, but we have been denied rentals and our credit and references are excellent.

But still you should fight for your money. Maybe if you get a lawyer to sent a letter to LL asking for the SD and threatening with Small Claims, the LL would me more responsive and you might get your money back without going to court.

What percentage of rentals would you say you were denied. Just curious about how much it impacted you.

[Merjolie8]

At least 2, maybe 3.

[Nayabone]

I've been a LL for 15 years and the subject of small claims court would never come up. It doesn't show up in a credit report, and I'm not about to research public records to see if it had occurred. If the credit and everything else is solid, there is no need to go further.
I wish it did show up, and I've had some flaky renters that need to be denied...

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by Nayabone

I've been a LL for 15 years and the subject of small claims court would never come up. It doesn't show up in a credit report, and I'm not about to research public records to see if it had occurred. If the credit and everything else is solid, there is no need to go further.
I wish it did show up, and I've had some flaky renters that need to be denied...

I agree. I think the poster who's been turned down has been turned down for reasons other than having been to small claims court.

[JIM7]

Sounds like ...