Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

California Security Deposit

2 college students rent apartment, pay $2,000 security deposit. Give proper notice to move out; landlord (property mgr) inspects premises and leaves written prelimin inspection, with very little mentioned. I, Mom, come to apt on last day to thoroughly clean, make sure all is great. Call apt mgr to come down & inspect. He refuses, ''I am not required to. I have already left a written prelim. report.'' Girls move.

Over 3 wks later, after I called prop mgr (refuswho will not give me name of owner/supervisor) to inquire where is deposit? He says there was ''much damage.'' I said, ''What?''

4 weeks later, girls receive ltr & accounting listing extraordinary damage: 2 broken windows, replace valve in shower (they never had hot water the whole time they were there!), broken sink, etc. to the tune of $850! I call prop mgr to complain; he is nasty; won't give me name of owner who won't admit she's ''owner,'' only ''supervisor.'' Prop records say she is owner. She says she's got video to prove damage (shower valve? I think not) . . It's all trumped up. I am planning to write demand letter to owner & then take them to small claims court. (Tidbit: Owner's hubby is prominent TV investigative journalist/whistleblower.) Advice?


Asked on 7/17/09, 7:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

Re: California Security Deposit

You sound just like you are on the right track. I would have suggested taking the landlord to Court under Civil Code 1950.5.

(you can find it here:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=8836933922+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve)

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Answered on 7/17/09, 10:16 pm


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