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Issues with former landlord

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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
i moved to utah for 2 months (march 20 - may 20) during my semester off, and while i was there i was living in a rented room in a woman's house. when i moved in i paid a 250 dollar security deposit that i would get back after i left trusting that i didnt trash the room. the deposit was initially supposed to be 100 dollars, but thats when i was planning to move in on march 1. when i told her i was going to be late she asked that i up the deposit, which was okay with me.

around the end of april, she goes to jail for something which involved "borrowing" her friends car when she was drunk, but i dont know the details. in her absence, the man who lived downstairs (another renter and old friend of hers) took over rent collection until the landlord was due back, 5 days after i left. when i was leaving i asked the man downstairs if he had my deposit money but he said that landlord had it and i would not be able to get it back until she got back. i left my home address with him so she could mail me a check when she got home.

the check never came, and ive tried to contact her several times. ive called her house and cell phones 4 or five times, sent several emails, and several texts as well. all of them were very polite, simply asking her to contact me, but i have heard nothing so far. its now been 3 weeks. i should mention that i did not trash the room, and i let it in the exact same condition it was in when i got there(i have pictures of this for proof).

before i left i heard that she had a lot of financial problems, such as she was struggling to pay for the house. she did not appear to have a job, although she claimed that she worked from home, but i never saw evidence of this. i guessing that she spent my deposit and now cant pay me back, but her financial problems should not become mine. im a college student who is now down to 23 dollars, and i really need my money back. any advise on what i can do?
Jun 10 2012 2:28PM
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BurgRider
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 17
haha
Jun 10 2012 2:31PM
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AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
haha
Jun 10 2012 2:32PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,133
Tell the police. They probably won't care, but it's worth a try. Unless she's filed for bankruptcy, she owes you that money.
Jun 10 2012 2:33PM
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AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
take the high road. judge mathis.

Jun 10 2012 2:34PM
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BurgRider
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 17
its 250$ sorry to say but that's not very much money and you're not going to see it returned. maybe if you had some sort of documentation, normal people sign leases, but even with that it would be a massive waste of time and resources to go to court over a 250$ deposit
Jun 10 2012 2:37PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
throw a molotov in her window, that'll teach her to spend your muh fuggin monay
Jun 10 2012 2:40PM
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Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 849
And look at our friend david now....
Jun 10 2012 2:41PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
it's great. how's looking like a pedophile and a terrorist at the same time?
Jun 10 2012 2:44PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
First check the laws... A lot of states allow up to a month for them to send you the deposit back and in a lot of states there are rules like they can keep up to $100 of it no questions asked.

So check how long she has. After that, most places also require you to send a certified letter requesting the money back. Then you at least know she got it.

After that there may be more rules depending on the state, but then your only option is to file small claims in Utah. Then she can likely move the court date to an inconvenient time for you. Then you can move it... pretty much it can take a year before you ever go to court.

Provided utah has the $100 thing (a lot of states do) and the $30 or so it will cost you to file the claim. You're looking at only getting $120 back if you can happen to be in utah with out spending any extra money.

Tip for future, always consider your deposit a loss and be excited to get anything back.

I've lost $1550 in the last 3 years to bad roommate situations. I've now learned to just not expect it back and when I happen to get something back, I spend it on happy me things.
Jun 10 2012 2:55PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
You can do it
Jun 10 2012 2:56PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11988 - Karma: 12,261
cock slap her face until she makes you a sandwich.
Jun 10 2012 3:03PM
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Pikachu.
Posts: 1290 - Karma: 1,641
that sucks bro
Jun 10 2012 3:08PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
If she got a DUI she spent it on a lawyer.
Jun 10 2012 3:11PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
Call the police or get a job
Jun 10 2012 3:20PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
i dont think the police will do anything about this kind of thing. and i cant really have a job since im in class all day and im only here for a month.
Jun 10 2012 3:22PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I've had some good luck in the past with Craigslist when needing quick work. You can usually find some event to work or something that will give you $100 cash or so. Depending on where it is you are living...
Jun 10 2012 3:35PM
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Danijela
Posts: 33 - Karma: 12
sell your NS account.

i'm sure there are quite a few people who would be willing to pay handsomely for it.
Jun 10 2012 3:40PM
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AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
like sagaaa.
Jun 10 2012 3:44PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
My previous landlord fucked us over big time with security deposit. There was a dent in the wall of the laundry room when we moved in (not drywall, it was that finished plywood, maybe $30 a sheet. Anyways when we moved out they blamed it on us and didn't give us ANY of our deposit back. I told them it wasn't us, but since we didn't note it on the inspection I would fix it. They started ignoring us and just kept our $600. Not only that but my room mate lost hundreds of dollars when the dishwasher upstairs (different suite) broke due to them neglecting to fix it. They basically told him to fuck off and it wasn't their problem

Police and other government were of no use, no one cares about things as minor as $600. Everything established seemed to be to protect the landlords property if a tenant trashed the place.

As bad as it is to say, I would be very reluctant to rent from an immigrant again. The culture barrier makes a big difference when it comes to the landlord-tenant relationship, and also how the landlord takes care of the place. We need a website like "rate my professor" for landlords who own lots of houses.


Jun 10 2012 3:46PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
call a napalm strike on her bitchass like its vietnam
Jun 10 2012 3:49PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
2 big things:

1. Was your contract in writing? If not you're just throwing the money away. ALWAYS make deposit notices in writing and sign by BOTH parties.

2. You could go to small claims court. There are a few issues with this. You generally have to front the money to file the case which can easily run $150-300+ depending on state. If she doesn't have any money to give you for the deposit, because as you have alluded to, she's broke, you are not going to be able to get the court money or the deposit back immediately. Worst case it goes to a payment plan and they don't pay (been down this road with restitution).

I suppose the moral of the story is be careful who you rent from. Sometimes even the seemingly reputable people will turn and try and fuck you over.

Jun 10 2012 6:25PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
As an aside: landlords are only able to charge (by law in most states) what is needed to return the rental property to the condition it was upon entry. MANY commercial rental agencies routinely charge for carpet and professional cleaning regardless of how much you have cleaned the property. This is against the law, unfortunately you have to often file in small claims court to get that money back, but you'll generally get it. TAKE PICTURES on move-in and move-out.


Jun 10 2012 6:28PM
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SterlingArcher
Posts: 2200 - Karma: 2,456
small claims court or civil suit.. You can file for up to $500 in damages max, however expect court cost deductions and a lengthy process. hopefully u kept a record of payment.. otherwise ur eff'd. If nothing else, throw a slice of bologna on her car window in the winter.. the oils will cause the windshield to shatter by morning if it freezes good.
Jun 11 2012 3:33PM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
my advice is get a job and start making money cuz $250 aint shit and you sure as hell aren't ever gonna see that again.
Jun 11 2012 3:40PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
It sucks bigtime man but functionally there is usually not much recourse in your situation. I will say that you did everything right (assuming you also signed paperwork and did an inspection with the landlord etc). Most people don't take pictures before and after, and would not have taken the steps to get your money back that you did. So good job being a responsible adult, apparently more than her. Sucks that that won't feed you though man.

I second craigslist for some part time work. Remember that any place that also might lead to some cash tips (up-front money) might also hire on the spot. You probably know the local work situation better than us though. Just remember, pride as far as what kind of work you do might preclude you eating bro. Hopefully a friend can help you out for some gas money and pb and bread/ rice and beans till you get a job.
Jun 11 2012 3:49PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
You're never going to see the money. Yeah, you could take her to small claims court, but you'll spend more time in that process than it's worth. Plus, there's no guarantee that you'll get your money even if awarded. You can't squeeze water from a rock, ya know?

Honestly, instead of spending your time trying to take her to small claims court, you'd be better off using that time to work and earn some cash elsewhere. It'll be a more productive use of your time.
Jun 11 2012 3:52PM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263
Where in Utah did you live?
Jun 11 2012 3:54PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
i wouldn't worry, mommy and daddy will bail you out.

if not, wtf are you doing blowing through your safety net fucking off in Utah for two months????

tough luck, kid. next time save and prepare BEFORE taking a vacation.
Jun 11 2012 3:57PM
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