Where can I go for help when my ex-landlord refuses to refund my security deposit w/o just cause? I'm in N.Y.

Question

I left my old apartment in the same condition as when I first rented it (I only stayed 2 months). I had a month-to-month tenancy so there was no lease. I paid the entire 2 months. I gave my landlord the requested 30-day notice and I returned all the keys. I asked that she mail my refund to my new address but she's hasn't done so. She won't even return my calls. What are my options. I'm trying to avoid any legal recourse unless I really have to but I can't see an alternative because she's leaving me no choice.

Answer 1

How about the better business bureau, attorney general's office or the town council?

Answer 2

Do you have renter's laws in NY. Honestly I hope you took pics when and if you have left this place already. Quite a few landlords refuse to ever give your deposits back. They make up a whole lot of excuses to steal your money. Ask an attorney (they should be able to give you a few minutes for free). Depending on the amount it might go to small claims court and you may or may not get your money after all. Sorry to be so grim, but have been there done that. No matter how clean I ever left a place. I never got any deposit money back.

Answer 3

If the landlord failed to send you an accounting of the deductions within 30 days of termination of the tenancy, they lose the right to make ANY deductions.

NY has some pretty strong laws on this. Google the NY State Attorney General's website and have a look around. Often a complaint to their office is all that it will take.

Answer 4

If it has been more that 14 days since you moved out, then you need to file suit in small claims court. She has broken the law by withholding your security deposit. Your only recourse is small claims court.You can claim double what your security deposit is. Regardless if she found damage or not, she must notify you of damages and return the security deposit, less damages if any, to you within 14 days.

Answer 5

I rented a place for 6 1/2 years, after I moved out, I called the landlady about the security deposit and she would not send it back. She said they had to repaint and that it was just barely covering the cost of that.

I was told there was nothing I could do about it.

Answer 6

Immediately send a demand letter.....be sure to summarize your exit walk-thru (regarding the condition of the apt when you left)....google your state and landlord/tenant laws.....and quote the statute that says she has X amount of days to return the money.....

Send the letter (that starts the legal clock)....when the deadline passes....take a copy of the letter to the Court house (small claims usually) and request a hearing date.....don't be intimidated, that is truly what its' there for....renters have rights, but you have to exercise them.....Serve Notice of the Hearing on her and you'll see your deposit immediately......make sure you charge her for the cost of a process server too!

Answer 7

Honey, you're dropping some time. you've been to court docket...the decide made a ruling, and that ruling is very last. you could not "action" the court docket for a sparkling trial on a civil in nice condition...in elementary words criminal. The civil court docket places a stop to the technique, and once you go away...it truly is the properly of the technique. in case you try to sue her back, she will and receives a judgement hostile to you for legal harrassment. No lawyer is going to take a case that you've lost previously you even ensue in court docket, because once the "new" decide hears that a similar same case has already been heard with techniques from yet another decide and the in elementary words "evidence" you've is your "feeling" is that the different listening to replaced into not performed perfect...they're going to push aside your case....and your lawyer WILL deliver YOU A bill.

Answer 8

Take her to small claims court if you can prove your case.