security deposit nightmare (rent, house, landlord)

[dawnszegda]

I rented a house that included lawn care and the sprinklers were broken in he back yard. we rented for two years had one dog paid the dog fee. moved out and landlord now stating that my dog killed the grass in the back yard. we have no documentation that we are to water and how often and like I said the sprinklers in the back didn't work. also note that the lawn care included n rent meant we went through 5-6 lawn guys for non showing on time went 2 months with no mowing also most of the lawn guys weedwacked the back yard instead of mowing. am I responsible for the lawn in the back having bald spots when clearly lawn care is included in rent and landlord never specified when and if to water. I am in florida and landlord was aware I was new to florida. he never told me when to water and never fixed sprinklers. went to its mediation at court and set a court date for a month away. he clearly lied there stating that he could afford to pay me back security deposit as he paid to have back yard resided. set trial date with that and drove by property on way home. no sod installed at all. took pictures . am I still out my secusity deposit

[bfrabel]

Did you ever let the landlord know that the sprinkler system was broken while you were living there? If not, that would be why he's pissed off, and I'd say he has a right to be pissed off about that. Especially if there was a clause in your contract that says you were supposed to notify him of anything in need of repair in a timely fashion, and you failed to do so.

If you did let him know that it was broken and he chose to ignore it, then I'd say you did your part. Good luck!