How do I go about getting back my security deposit?
I was renting a basement apartment from an acquaintance back in June. I gave her a months rent and one months security, no lease, just month to month. She always wanted cash and would never accept a check. She admitted to me that she wasn’t claiming it on her taxes. Being that it was a basement, I asked her if there were ever any problems with roaches and she said no.
I moved there in June when it still wasn’t that hot out so I didn’t see any bugs yet. During the middle of June I started to see bugs, BIG BUGS. I was completely grossed out. Then I started seeing them all over the sidewalks at night which clearly tells me that the neighborhood was infested. She knew how I felt about the bugs which is why she must have lied.
Around July 3rd I told her that I need to leave and she expected me to live out the rest of July and the security deposit for August. I told her no and that I would move out by the middle of July, and only ask for the security deposit. She told me that it’s not how it works and that she will not give me back my security deposit.
Later on I found out that the basement apartment was illegal. No smoke detectors, no back way out, 6 steps down and a gas stove. I vacated the apartment on the 14th. She was supposed to give me back my security deposit on the 22nd. Then she said she can only give me half. So I accepted half and she said I’d get the other half next week.
She just left me a message saying that she wants the keys back, but I don’t trust her. It’s not even the end of the month yet. What can I do to resolve this and get my full deposit back with as little hassle as possible. If she does give me further hassle, what measures do I need to take?
Because you did not have a written contract and everything was cash there is nothing you can do it’s your word against hers.
first of all, keep the keys as leverage, she can always change the locks if she wants to pay for it. Secondly, have an attorney draft a letter to her, you or a friend may have a relative in the legal world, if not you can negotiate a fee for a simple letter with reference to an ”illegal apartment”. In most cases, they will percieve it as a legal threat and that will be enough, if not, you may need to get professional legal help.