Security Deposit Question-Nassau County (apartment, rental, house)

[LP1668]

Hello all,

I've read a lot of good information on this forum tonight but couldn't find the answer to my question and I am looking for opinions.

I just moved out of a 1 year house rental. I moved in with a few buddies from school last year that have been living there already for one year. We all signed new leases and me being a first year college student and not knowing the ways of renting, didn't realize the land lord didn't do repairs around the house when the student I replaced moved out. When we moved out, we got the house cleaned by a cleaning service and the damage to the house was quoted at $50 each which I had no problem with. Landlord called today (still don't know the total I will be getting back) saying multiple things had to be replaced (different from damage above) and that he had to get the house cleaned for $220 because the oven and fridge needed cleaning. The items that had to be replaced were damaged before I moved in which, is my fault for not knowing how things worked, but upset me that I'm losing this money for something I didn't do.

I looked up the property and it is not permitted to be a rental nor have the finished basement that it has. I didn't know of this until I moved out.

It has exterior locking door handles on each bedroom which I'm told makes it a boarding house.

Security Dep was $4000 when monthly rent was $2800 (Ive read on here that security dep cant be more than a months rent, not sure if it applies here).

What I want to know, is there any legal way to get the money I personally deserve back? Ive read older posts on this forum about tenants trying to get all the rent they've paid back because they lived in an illegal apartment. I'm not trying to do that (would be nice to have the money though) I just want my security back. I'm scared of talking to the landlord about the issues he has with the house as he might take more money from me with more charges of some sort.

Anyone with any input would be greatly appreciated

Thank you,
Paul

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by LP1668

Hello all,



Security Dep was $4000 when monthly rent was $2800 (Ive read on here that security dep cant be more than a months rent, not sure if it applies here).

What I want to know, is there any legal way to get the money I personally deserve back? Ive read older posts on this forum about tenants trying to get all the rent they've paid back because they lived in an illegal apartment. I'm not trying to do that (would be nice to have the money though) I just want my security back. I'm scared of talking to the landlord about the issues he has with the house as he might take more money from me with more charges of some sort.

Anyone with any input would be greatly appreciated

Thank you,
Paul

It is not uncommon for landlords to ask as much as two months security, so the amount you paid is not unreasonable.

You already admitted that your inexperience has caused you to be on the hook for things you didn't do - an expensive lesson for something you most likely won't ever repeat.
As far as your "getting back what you deserve" - what do you feel you deserve?

[TomMoser]

Another tenant that only cares about a rental being illegal when they are trying to get leverage on the landlord.

[LP1668]

Originally Posted by Elke Mariotti

It is not uncommon for landlords to ask as much as two months security, so the amount you paid is not unreasonable.

You already admitted that your inexperience has caused you to be on the hook for things you didn't do - an expensive lesson for something you most likely won't ever repeat.
As far as your "getting back what you deserve" - what do you feel you deserve?

Personally I believe I should get back ~$950. The landlord is charging for things that don't need to be done. Besides the house cleaning, he is charging for touch up paint (no holes, only wear and tear from furniture), a new door knob as one of the exterior door locks does not open with the key in it(which was a problem reported to him from day one) and other charges to take more money. I know its a one sided story but to give an example of how this guy is, a window was replaced in the house before I moved in. My room mate has the receipt for $125 (everything included) and was told it would come out of security. The landlord is charging $225 for it and says the receipt is not from him.

Another issue is that one room mate used his security to pay last months rent and owed for the window mentioned above so my land lord says the me and the other two guys will be paying for the damages and cleaning from our securities as his is gone.

By no means am I trying to profit from the situation but I am trying to get a good amount of my security back. If I come off that way I apologize, but I have read this forum all last night and got a lot of information so I made a post to get some opinions/facts to help myself out. I just listed everything I knew as maybe it would help get a better answer.

Thanks
Paul