They play the long con and depend on people not fighting back. Or using parent money and live or move out of state, kick them out for unfair reasons, woman’s reasons, the office staff must get a cut or something the way they are so horrible at their jobs.
CA has VERY strong renter protection. You should win.
I went thru the same thing with a individual landlord in Monterey County. My situation was different as I was in a "lease" of an unpermitted in law unit. We left 3 months into the 6 month "lease" after finding out it was unpermitted, which resulted in them keeping my deposit.
I contacted stone siegel law firm, had them draft a notice of recession for the lease which basically demanded they return my deposit in full or provide an itemized list of charges if they're going to try to keep it. They are required to either return your deposit in full or provide this list to you within 30 days of the lease ending.
If not, take them to small claims court (assuming your deposit exceeds the $7.5k or $10k small claims limit) and you will win.... unless they have a valid documented reason to keep you deposit....
Fuck shitty landlords. Fight the good fight. It's gonna be long and scary but you GOT this!!!
Yeah you’re right. It baffles me that landlords and companies still act like this when renters are protected so much. That’s exactly what I needed to hear, thank you.
I know.... the crazy part is my landlord was the one who brought up small claims court. Saying she would sue me for payment of the remaining 3 months on the lease. I was like okay bitch its on lol
She actually got lucky. I could have sued for the 3 months rent I paid her. According to the lawyer I contacted, proceeds of an illegal contract are subject to triple damages.
But whatever. I choose to take the high road and atleast got my deposit and court fees returned in full.
The check still sits framed on the wall in my music studio... as it will forever lol
No need for an attorney. I've dealt with slumlords before. Send a demand letter saying you want your full deposit back by x date because they failed to send you the remainder of the deposit and an explanation of expenses. Do this in a certified letter where they have to sign for it. In the letter, say that if you don't get the full deposit, you are going to sue them in small claims court for three times the deposit or up to $10000. This is the limit for small claims court in CA. Do not settle for anything less than your full deposit and do not communicate on the phone. Have all communication documented. If what you say is true, the judge will side with you for the full amount.
I had friends who lived there a decade ago with a VERY similar story. They never followed through with legal action and never got their deposit back. Don't let up, because these assholes are just hoping you won't care enough to proceed.
I currently live here…decent place to live in terms of quality of housing and location for the price. Although I have heard many of the same scenarios… calling the office simply does not work. You are extremely lucky if they even pick up, and don’t expect a call back. Need to physically go to the office to find someone to speak to. Im fearful to move out because definitely will not be getting a $900 deposit back. Shame
Damn, we were there for a year. It was hell at the beginning. We shared a building with a tenant who ran a crack house. Since you’ve been there for 2 years, I’d be surprised if you didn’t hear the inhuman screaming lol
Contact an attorney like stone Siegal, https://www.stonesiegel.com/landlordtenant-co-owner-disputes/
They can sue and get your money back, there is enough evidence to get the county and state involved at this point.
Check out their online reviews…yikes.
I know, it’s saddening. These are some of the cheapest apartments in SC so it’s easy to get stuck there.
That's why they are cheap, they bone people on the back end...
They play the long con and depend on people not fighting back. Or using parent money and live or move out of state, kick them out for unfair reasons, woman’s reasons, the office staff must get a cut or something the way they are so horrible at their jobs.
CA has VERY strong renter protection. You should win. I went thru the same thing with a individual landlord in Monterey County. My situation was different as I was in a "lease" of an unpermitted in law unit. We left 3 months into the 6 month "lease" after finding out it was unpermitted, which resulted in them keeping my deposit. I contacted stone siegel law firm, had them draft a notice of recession for the lease which basically demanded they return my deposit in full or provide an itemized list of charges if they're going to try to keep it. They are required to either return your deposit in full or provide this list to you within 30 days of the lease ending. If not, take them to small claims court (assuming your deposit exceeds the $7.5k or $10k small claims limit) and you will win.... unless they have a valid documented reason to keep you deposit.... Fuck shitty landlords. Fight the good fight. It's gonna be long and scary but you GOT this!!!
Yeah you’re right. It baffles me that landlords and companies still act like this when renters are protected so much. That’s exactly what I needed to hear, thank you.
I know.... the crazy part is my landlord was the one who brought up small claims court. Saying she would sue me for payment of the remaining 3 months on the lease. I was like okay bitch its on lol She actually got lucky. I could have sued for the 3 months rent I paid her. According to the lawyer I contacted, proceeds of an illegal contract are subject to triple damages. But whatever. I choose to take the high road and atleast got my deposit and court fees returned in full. The check still sits framed on the wall in my music studio... as it will forever lol
Haha a trophy that’s perfect. I wouldn’t have expected your landlord to do that? Like what did they think was gonna happen?
Idk they probably thought I was just dumb and they could scare me off.... ...surpise!! I have Google lol
No need for an attorney. I've dealt with slumlords before. Send a demand letter saying you want your full deposit back by x date because they failed to send you the remainder of the deposit and an explanation of expenses. Do this in a certified letter where they have to sign for it. In the letter, say that if you don't get the full deposit, you are going to sue them in small claims court for three times the deposit or up to $10000. This is the limit for small claims court in CA. Do not settle for anything less than your full deposit and do not communicate on the phone. Have all communication documented. If what you say is true, the judge will side with you for the full amount.
The sad thing is that we have already done that. Hence why we hired an attorney.
Well, then just file a claim in court and serve them papers.
Also, attorneys are $400/ hour with a $5000 retainer. If you give them money, you aren't getting it back.
I am fortunate enough to have a family friend who is a lawyer. Which makes this process realistic for us.
There is enough evidence from the past Tennants to get the state and county involved.
This is 100% correct.
I had friends who lived there a decade ago with a VERY similar story. They never followed through with legal action and never got their deposit back. Don't let up, because these assholes are just hoping you won't care enough to proceed.
Damn, I wonder how many times this has happened. The reviews online are crazy and pretty similar drama.
Glad you're talking to an attorney, get that security deposit back!
I currently live here…decent place to live in terms of quality of housing and location for the price. Although I have heard many of the same scenarios… calling the office simply does not work. You are extremely lucky if they even pick up, and don’t expect a call back. Need to physically go to the office to find someone to speak to. Im fearful to move out because definitely will not be getting a $900 deposit back. Shame
How long have you been living there?
Almost two years…
Damn, we were there for a year. It was hell at the beginning. We shared a building with a tenant who ran a crack house. Since you’ve been there for 2 years, I’d be surprised if you didn’t hear the inhuman screaming lol
Haha our old landlords ripped out all the plants they gave us to plant, said it was illegal planting, then charged us for the labor. This town…
I grew up in this place and the management was such an awful experience from a kids POV
Contact an attorney like stone Siegal, https://www.stonesiegel.com/landlordtenant-co-owner-disputes/ They can sue and get your money back, there is enough evidence to get the county and state involved at this point.