Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Arizona

I filled out a property inspection report right after we moved in stating all that was wrong with the home, now that we have moved out the manager is now holding $800 of our security deposit for things that were on our inspection report. He has charged us for work that wasnt even done, and the property manager made up a fake handy man business? there is no record of them having business license. How can I be charged and they dont even exist? I wrote a demand letter and he has yet to respond to me. I saw him in public and I asked if he recieved email andhe said yes and he was adding new charges?? how can he add new charges 2 months after the fact? what can I do to get my money back?

Thanks michele


Asked on 5/11/12, 3:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joyce Johnson-Stovall Johnson Stovall and Associates PLLC

We understand that you are upset with the landlord and that your questions are really rhetorical arguments suggesting that your landlord is wrongfully withholding your deposit. Your rights are governed under the landlord tenant act. You have a right to sue him in small claims court or justice court if you believe he is violating the landlord tenant act by wrongfully withholding your deposit. There are penalties which may be assessed against the landlord if the court concludes that he is charging for work that was not done or making up charges months after you moved out. Hopefully you took pictures of the premises before you vacated so that you can prove that the damages which he is claiming are not legitimate. If you would like help preparing a justice court or small claims court paperwork, please call Stephanie Coulter of this office at 602 462 1004. She will need copies of your lease agreement, proof of deposit, inspection report and demand letter in order to help you to draft the court documents. You should not get distracted by whether he has a "business license" as a handyman. That argument wont get you anywhere.

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Answered on 5/11/12, 3:51 pm


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