You would have to go to Small Claims Court and get a judgment against the tenant. Then you could garnish the security deposit from the current landlord. Talk with an attorney for details.
You can check with the Tenants Association in your city but that's not unusual. I'm surprised that they're not asking for first, last and the security deposit.
No, normally you can spend the money. If a tenant terminates a lease early the landlord can keep the security deposit and sue the tenant for loss if the unit is not re-rented by the time the lease would have expired.
Yes. That's the short answer, but it's usually a condition of your lease.
Yes, unless the tenant caused the fire, and the landlord can prove it.
Yes, that might be fine. You should get something in writing from the landlord, in lieu of a receipt, making it clear that that's what you're doing.
In the State of Maryland, a landlord has 45 days from the date a residential tenant vacates the premises to return any security deposit, minus any deductions for damage. Within 30 days of the date the tenant vacates, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing of any damage deductions being taken from the security deposit. If a landlord fails to return any portion of the security deposit rightly owed to the tenant, the tenant can sue the landlord for up to three times the amount of the security deposit that was wrongly withheld, plus attorney fees. Maryland has many online legal self-help resources on landlord-tenant law and other subjects. For a directory of these resources, visit the Maryland Courts Self-Help Directory related link.
The accounting journal entries to record a security deposit should be a separate entry titled security deposit. You should include the tenants name, and it should be considered a liability since you will have to return it at some point.
A lease agreement is an agreement between a landlord (property owner) and the tenant (resident). It is a legally binding agreement that allows either party to sue in court if the lease agreement is broken. A lease agreement is signed prior to a tenant taking residency in the dwelling (building).Tenants RightsTenants have rights under the lease agreement and can expect certain things from the landlord. The first thing tenants should expect from the landlord is a safe place to live. The landlord must keep the home in good repair. If there are issues in the residence that pose a health risk to the tenants, the landlord must repair it..The landlord cannot enter the home unless he or she has been given express permission to do so by you. If the landlord takes such action, he or she opens him or herself up to a lawsuit. The tenant has a right to privacy.The tenant can expect the landlord to return the security deposit placed when the lease was signed. The landlord can keep a portion of the security deposit if repairs are necessary due to damage done by the tenant. The landlord may be able to keep the full security deposit if the tenant owes rent. The security deposit must be returned to the tenant within a certain amount of time, generally 60 to 90 days.Landlord's RightsThe landlord has the right to expect rent on time each month. They have the right to expect the correct amount of rent due, not just a portion. If the landlord does not receive rent on time, he or she can sue the tenant in court for payment as well as eviction.The landlord has the right to expect tenants to take care of the property. The tenant is allowed a certain amount of room with normal wear and tear, but huge holes in the walls or stains on the carpet are looked on as a problem. The landlord can use the security deposit to make these types of repairs after the tenant moves out.The tenant/landlord relationship can be a good one as long as both parties adhere to the laws and the lease agreement. Both sides have options if the other side does not adhere to the lease or laws. Not all landlords wish to have a lease agreement in writing. It is important to have the agreement for the protection of everyone involved.
Yes, but most discrimination is perfectly legal. He can't, for instance, require all his black tenants to pay a deposit, but non of the white tenants. But, he can rent two apartments to two brothers, and tell one that he has to pay a deposit, but waive it for the other.
(DATE) Dear (Landlord's Name), I am writing to dispute deductions taken from my security deposit. # The holes in the walls from the pictures I hung are normal wear and tear. Money for spackling cannot be taken from my security deposit. # The charge for cleaning the rug is too high. I realize it was our fault for staining it. However, you are charging too much. It should not cost more than $XXX. Therefore, I believe that we are entitled to another $XXX returned from our deposit. If we do not settle this, I am willing to go to Small Claims Court over this matter. Sincerely, Name(s) Former tenants at: (previous address) Current address:
If post-tenancy cleaning is not executed properly, several issues can arise: Security Deposit Deductions: Landlords may deduct cleaning costs from the tenant's security deposit if the property is left in poor condition. Difficulty Finding New Tenants: A dirty property can lead to negative impressions, making it harder to attract new tenants and potentially extending vacancy periods. Landlord Complaints: Inconsistent cleaning can lead to disputes between landlords and former tenants, complicating the move-out process.
Yes, a landlord can redecorate and fix the house for selling while the current tenants are still renting and living there, as long as it does not disrupt the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment and does not violate any terms specified in the lease agreement. The landlord should communicate with the tenants in advance about any planned renovations or repairs and try to schedule them at a convenient time for the tenants.