Ever have Landlord or Prop Mgmt Co. try to FALSELY keep deposit?

[workin4alivin]

We just moved a month ago, received ltr from prop mgmt co trying to tell us WE OWE THEM.  My aunt and I are really PO'd ... we gave proper notice, etc.  And then yesterday we rec'd a BILL mind you A FREAKIN' BILL, from the property mgmt co saying we owed them $660!  OMG. After I calmed down, I reassessed their billing, wrote our own letter indicating we are owed not them, they have 15 days to pay or we will persue legal action. 

we rented that house for 5+ years, planted new plants, brought the yard back from dirt, etc., etc. and then they turn on us.  Oh boy ... well, we shall see. I may be disabled and on a limited income but I can and will find an attorney out there to help me if this goes further ... and get this, the owner is a COL. IN THE MILITARY!!! A psychologist no less.  seems to us the col erroniously billed the prop mgmt co. for things that have not been done, WE ONLY MOVED ACROSS THE STREET, i can see items billed have not been done.  it's almost laughable.  oh boy i thought i'd gotten over it sorta, but obviously not ... i'm still fuming. 

Anyone else have similiar issue? and yes, forgive typo's

[Annella]

Stick to your guns, and since you are right across the street, take some pictures. What gets me is that it's a renter's market right now because a lot of people who had houses and now don't because of the economy, are renting. Landlord's are jacking rent because of it and getting downright greedy these days. I have heard some real horror stories. Some are trying to evict their present tenants so they can jack the prices for the long list of those wanting housing. You do have rights as a Renter and exercise those rights. A lot of people think that the Landlord has more rights than they do, but that is not true. While you rent, you own the space you are in and the Landlord cannot evade that space without proper prior notice or an emergency.

Deposit money was suppose to go for cleaning and damage in the past, but now they call it a "Security Deposit". The Landlords have been bending the laws where deposits are concerned and some charge way over what is legal. There have been places I've moved into in the past that were so filthy and still got charged a deposit. However, when I moved out, everything on the checklist (shampoo carpets, etc.) had to be done in order to get my deposit back. What I would like to know is did the Landlord "pocket" the last renters deposit because the place was not clean, and then didn't clean it for me? There's no other explanation. Renter's deposits are in the same category of rip off insurance companies. There should be stricter laws about putting over a thousand dollars into someone's hands that have the power to say if you get it back or not.....on their definition!

[ancmetro]

          Yes, it is a disgrace. And I do not know how they get away with it!

[workin4alivin]

wel, we sent the letter cert return receipt so we will know when they receive it and the clock starts ticking! 15 days from then if I con't receive a ck, i'm contacting legal aid and i'll get the ball rolling!  i had a probono atty help me with another issue when i was fresh outta my disability findings and dealing with a credit card company trying to back slide on the protection plan we all buy into! ... now talk about a scam ... i could talk volumes about that but won't!  chuckle.

i'm not a wilted flower just because i'm disabled ... i may be disable but i'm sick of people taking advantage of me and others like me!  i'll limp up there with my sword and hammer drawn!

[g0ku4life]

I've had issues with landlords trying to keep the deposits only because they were greedy bastards. Never had it happen like this though. I have a feeling that when I leave my apt, the landlady will try and keep it all because she has apparently tried to do it with everyone.

[Storm61115]

our landlord is an  like i have said before but there is a 50/50 chance that he will take it too. thinking about him, i would think that he wouldnt take it if we did everything we asked and no damage has been done. BUT SEEING AS HE HAS EVICTED TENANTS IN OUT BUILDING because he was an  he may or may not play games with us. we have been good tenants, though, we have been late on the rent ALOT because our financial situation. he knows ours financial situation and yet he doesnt care. he says he has bills to pay ...well WTF we have bills to pay too. SO, even though we have been late ALOT on the rent..he always gets it and we are never a month behind. i dont know, we will see when we move out what he does. if everything goes well, he might just be nice.

[workin4alivin]

Read the Landlord/Tenant laws in your state ... forturnately for us we did take pictures of this place before we moved in, so we have proof of some things and i did go over after reading the letter and took pictures for proof that the invoicing was false, so i don't think we'll have many problems.

i've learned the CYA move from my working years ... but i always document, document, document ... take pictures of everything that is amiss when you move in.  we should have taken pictures when we moved out but we were exhausted.  my auntie is 68 for gracious sakes and i'm gona be 59 tomorrow (not old but i am disabled).  anywho, it is what it is, but i'll keep ya'll posted as it unfolds ... chuckle.  all prayers for success welcome of course!

[mrisha]

Don't allow the management company to get away with trying to cheat you.  Your security deposit is suppose  to be placed in an account that accrues interest.  You have added curb appeal and now they want you out to rent to someone else for higher rent.  Even Military personnel can also be scum.  Don't allow that to impress you.

[workin4alivin]

we rec'd a response to our ltr, it came on sat ... basically they came back with another amount they say we owe (it was lower but still!), i got all fired up and typed another letter with more negotiations in it - didn't mail it today instead i called an atty who had helped me with a credit card issue while i was going thru disability issues in '09 ... left msg with her assistant.  the assistant called me back & said from what i told her it was all hogwash (my word) and the atty would be calling me.  landlords are supposed to inform you of issues within 2 wks (at least in NM) and provide you with a list, etc.  they provided a list, but it was in a 30 day time period ... sooooo ... we shall see.

i'm hoping this is another probono thing cause i aint got no money honey.  anyway, i think we now stand a chance at getting the ENTIRE deposit back perhaps.  that would be nice.  just thought i'd update those who contributed prayers & support earlier!

thanks again ... it does help!!!

[workin4alivin]

just a note ... i misunderstood about the 2 wks notification from landlord to tenant in NM of things needing to be addressed. it is 30 days, period end of story.

  just wanted to clarify that just in case someone was taking any info here as gospel (sp?)

[mawhite63]

Thanks for the update working4alivin. I don't have any advice to add, but I'm reading your thread with great interest. We recently moved and were told by the property manager we would be getting our deposit back, so I'm keeping an eye on this thread and appreciate you starting it.

[GramPolly3]

As consumers we always need to be wary in this day of greed and economic turmoil. That's why Elizabeth Warren headed up the effort to provide consumer protection for us. Until that comes to be, and even afterward, we need to be our own advocate. Lots of good advice in this thread.