I think my landlord is trying to swindle me and keep my security deposit, even though I have not done anything. Suggestions?

The landlady told me "A detailed cost of repairs will be mailed to you in the time allotted by law." What is this supposed to mean?

Shes robbing you. Threaten to take her to court. If she still refuses, file a civil claim. Take pictures of the entire area you lived in to proove no damages were done

If a landlord does not provide an itemized list of any deductions, within a certain time frame, they waive any right to withhold any part of your deposit. Was a description of the existing condition of your apartment prepared before you moved in?

One, this is a conversation that needs to be had in person, not in text.

Two, you say you're not aware of any damages...what does that really mean? Either there are damages, or there aren't.

Three, you say normal wear and tear? What does that mean?

Four, if there are damages, that she has to pay to fix, you should be allowed to fix them yourself.

Five, if there are no damages, and the place is left clean, you should be entitled to your security deposit.

I don't spend a lot of time there, but otherwise, I have kept the place clean and there are no new damages as far as I am aware (everything is clean and in good shape). There was a small spot on the carpet she mentioned a few weeks back (after the maid came to clean the place) which was slightly discolored, but I know that wasn't my doing - I am not sure how that got there and it wasn't there during my stay.

She said she would send me an itemized list of repairs after I leave, and then send me anything left over from the security deposit and last month's rent. I am worried that she might use my security deposit as a way/excuse to clean the carpet (or any other repairs that weren't by me), when I have kept it clean and there are not any new noticeable damages.

Is there anything I can do to preemptively make sure this doesn't happen and I get most of my deposit back? Thanks.

Also, I am based in northern California (bay area).

Take pictures or film the apartment before you leave. Threaten to take her to court if she takes too much and make it clear you have evidence supporting your side.

You need to talk to her in person. Be resilient like Samara! When you call and say: "Seven days" that means that you will see them in seven days no matter what. Make the appointment!

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What should I discuss in person? Sounds like she won't give me the possible repairs, only that she will send me an itemized receipt.

help..... wrote:

Also, I am based in northern California (bay area).

I live in the Bay Area, too. I suggest you go to the mattresses.

How does she know what items need to be repaired? Did she randomly go into your apartment? What kind of damages is your landlord talking about? How does she know the damages and not you?

I'm bad at confrontation myself. Recently I was running around Niagara Falls (Buffalo New York side) and I happened to run in the ghettos... This happened yesterday:

I was running on the sidewalk and opposite from me was a group of old guys. One of them yelled: "Ay! Yo! You rich? You rich?"

I tilted my head towards them, looked at their direction, waved them off and continued running. At least I acknowledged one of them. But clearly, they thought I was a rich guy since I was running in their ghetto. Presumably they thought I was a tourist which is correct... However if I straight out ignored them, one of their thugs on a bicycle could have clearly snuck up behind me.

Anyways you have a relationship with your landlord. Make an appointment and talk! I used to go out on lots of dates, now I'm scared, but I still had those memories. Like I went out with a really tall cutie Russian girl and because of that date, she gave me confidence to do other things.

Become like Samara. She will seek you out and hunt you down even through the phone (literally).

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I'm renting a room in her house. Every 2-3 weeks, there is a maid who cleans the house and when that happens, she also walks into the room and checks it out.

She has 21 days to reconcile your security deposit or you can sue for all of it back.

Legally, she can only charge you for things that she incurred expenses for.

Therefore, if there is nothing to fix, she cannot charge you for fixing it.

Common charges: carpet cleaning, deep cleaning, burned out light bulbs, patch and spot paint, damaged screens.

Ask the maid to give your landlord the message. I know I'm giving aggressive advice - things that I wouldn't even do myself. But if your livelihood depends on it, you must. I'm complacent now. But years ago I wasn't always complacent. You must act now!

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Most damages have to have depreciation. Carpet generally has a 7 year life. If you live there 3.5 years and the carpet was bran new, they can only charge you half

How can I make sure she doesn't charge me for the carpet? It's in good shape and I will take pictures, but I'm worried she will use that one spot (which might have been the fault of the maid) to charge me for it.

help.... wrote:

...and there are no new damages as far as I am aware...

Again, are there damages, or are there not?

I'm reading a lot of evasive language. To me, saying "I'm not aware" is the same as saying "I know for a fact there are minor damages I caused, that I'm hoping she overlooks." Saying "I don't spend much time there" to me also implies "I caused minor damages but I'm hoping I can blame it on her son because I can pretend I wasn't there."

You need to either know there are damages, or know there are no damages. You need to do a walkthrough with the landlord, discussing what she thinks will need to be repaired/cleaned, and how much she expects it will cost. You need photographs and documentation if you actually want to fight this thing.

Saying "she texted me" and "I'm not aware" means you're not participating on your end in an adult manner. Take that "I don't spend much time there, so I'm not aware" crap to a judge, and you'll be lucky if he even tells you to have a nice day.

Don't rent, buy a van.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mlb-player-daniel-norris-lives-in-a-van-behind-florida-wal-mart/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKPa3uVddbU

I don't think there are damages. The only think is a very small stain on the carpet (slightly lighter colored). She can't prove it was me though, and I don't think it was me because I don't go to that part of the carpet. I think it's possible the maid was responsible for that.

That's the only thing I can think of. I asked her to give me what she thinks were the damages, and she evaded it said I would get an itemized list of repairs after I move out.

So even if I confront her in person, I think she will just evade the question and say that she'll give me an itemized list of repairs. What else should I do?