Landlord does not return all of deposit!!! (CA) (tenants, renter, security deposit)

[reinaga]

I paid $1000 deposit to tribeca agency. Upon leaving the house, it was flawless. (better than when i moved in!) the landlord and i walked the house upon leaving, and no problems - the manager admits.

Tribeca agency only returns $500, and not the original $1000!

The original deposit was only $500 but since my credit score was not 750 and because i didn't have $3000 in the bank - then they charged me an additional $500 upon move in. Totaling $1000.

Today was the 21'st day from my move out, and i received only $500!

What to do,

mr. Reinaga from alhambra california.

Thank you very much!!!

[ferretkona]

Have you considered calling them? May be a overslight

[Paula Lynn]

What did they deduct?

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

Have you considered calling them? May be a overslight

Good point. Since it seems the usual deposit was $ 500, they may have sent out without looking at the records. OP should call them and ask them in a polite manner that the deposit was $1,000 and you only received $500. If then they say it was no mistake, ask for an itemized list of costs that total the amount they took out.

Actually if i'm not mistaking, aren't deposits also owed interest to the renter upon move out?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by VLWH

Good point. Since it seems the usual deposit was $ 500, they may have sent out without looking at the records. OP should call them and ask them in a polite manner that the deposit was $1,000 and you only received $500. If then they say it was no mistake, ask for an itemized list of costs that total the amount they took out.

Actually if i'm not mistaking, aren't deposits also owed interest to the renter upon move out?

they probably should earn interest but I have never seen it given to the tenent.

Nita

[Paula Lynn]

State of California does not have to add interest - unless (I believe) it's in a rent control area)

[Domsey]

Ask for an itemization IN WRITING and go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Hopefully you still have a copy of the deposit check and some other receipt showing you paid $1,000.

My understanding (although legally I'm not sure) is that you should receive interest on your deposit yearly. It will be $10.00 or something, and it's taxable. So I wouldn't sweat the interest.

$100 deducted is normal. $500 is too much if everything was immaculate as you say. That's like a new dishwasher. If they refuse to itemize, threaten to take them to Judge Judy. She hates when people refuse to itemize.

[Ultrarunner]

Here's a link to the State Website regarding Security Deposits.

California Tenants - California Department of Consumer Affairs

Local Jurisdictions may have additional requirements.

[ehcsrop]

They will come up with something. Getting half back is not half bad.

[NickelDime]

Took my landlord to small claims last year for a withheld deposit. Got every penny back once he understood that the exposure is 3x the withheld amount if the judge finds he/she is operating in bad faith. We never went to court, though he extended the court date to the max and settled the day before it was scheduled. So it took like 6 months to get the money back, but I got it.

I fortunately had some nasty emails from him, but your case sounds pretty solid -- the key is the interpretation of the $500. Was it a fee or a deposit? That is the question.