Apartment deposit question (Seattle: apartments, renter, landlords)

[granolafan]

Hi, brand new here.

I moved out an apartment (Seattle) this month (July). My lease ended on July 31, but I moved out and gave them the keys by the 16th. (I paid for the entire of month July.)

Which brings me to the question on the two-week rule where they have to return the deposit.

Is it 2 weeks after I hand them the keys, or can they legally wait until 2 weeks after the end of my lease?

In case anyone knew this for sure,
thanks,
Steve

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by granolafan

Hi, brand new here.

I moved out an apartment (Seattle) this month (July). My lease ended on July 31, but I moved out and gave them the keys by the 16th. (I paid for the entire of month July.)

Which brings me to the question on the two-week rule where they have to return the deposit.

Is it 2 weeks after I hand them the keys, or can they legally wait until 2 weeks after the end of my lease?

In case anyone knew this for sure,
thanks,
Steve

I think they need to return your deposit on August 1st. Your contract will spell out the details - take a look and see what it says about returning your deposit. If it's confusing, type here the exact wording of the deposit section and we can try to answer.

Have they done the inspection yet?

But even though you returned your keys, it's still your apartment through today. After today, though, they should return your deposit.

Of course, you are not a prospective renter anymore. My experience with apartments is they only care about prospective renters and don't give a rats behind for anyone else, so that may make things difficult.

[granolafan]

Thanks, I'll have to look at the terms closer. I'll probably give them like 3 or 4 more days and then give them a call. Very true about post-move-out attitude among some landlords!

[Urban Hiker]

Two weeks after end of occupancy. Your case is debatable. I would wait for at least two weeks after the end of your lease.

City of Seattle's Code Compliance Department can be helpful.

Search for 'RETURN OF DEPOSITS [RCW 59.18.280]'
in
seattle.gov/dpd

Note: my link wasn't working. Sorry.

[Gaspaire]

From the RCW, "Within fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises."

There are two pieces to this....

1) Termination of the rental agreement (yours terminated July 31st since you paid through that date. Up until then you had the right to occupy the apartment)

2) Vacation of the premises.

The clock for the security deposit starts running when both elements are met (unless you abandon the apartment, as defined in RCW [URL="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.310"]59.18.310[/URL]). In your case, both elements were met July 31st, so your landlord should have until the 14th to deliver (or postmark) the statement of charges and/or refund check.


Hope that helps