Security Deposit in Ca and moving out early?

Question

Ok, so I'm living in a house that is owned from a private land lord.
Facts: The lease I signed was something that he made up (not a general lease, just something he wronte)

He did not specify any action to be taken if I broke the lease.

I am moving out early by approx 1 month and he wants to keep my $500 security deposit.

What are my options? Does anyone know how stern I should be with him on this? My landlord really didnt do a good job with the lease, I wasn't required to sign or initial each page, and I signed the last page which doesn't have any of the regular lease stuff on it...just a signature page. Personally I think that the whole thing can be thrown in the trash because there is no proof that any of it was actually the one that he gave me at the time of move in, but I wanted to get some more professional opinions from people out there...then try to reason with my landlord before taking him to court.

Answer 1

Please read your lease very carefully and be sure that there is nothing in it that specifies what is required from you if you break the lease early. It seems odd that he would not have something in it. You are not required to initial every page. You don't say how much your rent is, but I'm guessing it's at least $500 a month and you said you are leaving early by one month. In CA the security deposit can be used for unpaid rent, so yes he can keep the deposit. Of course, if you have a good relationship with him, and since the lease was not well written, you could incinuate that if you were to take him to court, his documentation would not stand up in court. That may be enough for him to let you off. If you are thinking about taking hom to court, be sure you send him a letter in writing stating that you wish the deposit back (certified or return reciept is best). He is required by law to send you an itemization of money he kept and for what purpose within 21 days of you vacating the property.

Many resources are available to help tenants and landlords resolve problems. Check which of the following agencies are available in your area, and call or write them for information or assistance:

Local consumer protection agency. See the City and County Government listings in the white pages of the phone book.
Local housing agency. See the City and County Government listings in the white pages of the phone book.
Local district attorney's office. See the County Government listings in the white pages of the phone book.
City or county rent control board. See the City and County Government listings in the white pages of the phone book.
Local tenant association, or rental housing or apartment association. Check the white (business) and yellow pages in the phone book.
Local dispute resolution program. To order a county-by-county list, see Appendix 4.
Local tenant information and assistance resources. See Appendix 3.
You may also obtain information from the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Consumer Information Center at 1-800-952-5210 (1-916-445-1254 for Sacramento area calls). For TDD, call 1-916-322-1700. You can also visit the Department of Consumer Affairs' Web site at www.dca.ca.gov.

Answer 2

The tenant who replaced your female chum could have been required to pay her share of the deposit on your female chum while she moved in. Did the recent tenant no longer pay a deposit in any respect? She could have been required to attain this and could have standard this till now shifting in. it relatively is, greater or much less, familiar technique while one roommate replaces yet another. the owner in no way refunds the protection deposit till the valuables is thoroughly vacated by employing all tenants on the hire and costs for damages and cleansing would be itemized. in this occasion curiously that the three unique roommates have been replaced over a volume of time so the valuables replaced into in no way vacated. in spite of the undeniable fact that it is not good, i think of that for the period of this occasion your female chum have been given screwed out her deposit. The roommate who replaced her would not have been allowed to pass in without paying the deposit on your female chum. At this point, i do no longer think of that she has any criminal recourse. you ought to to seek for suggestion from an criminal expert approximately this. Many provides you with a low fee consultation.

Answer 3

Stern? You're kidding, right? You're breaking the least one month early and you want your deposit back? Keep dreaming! You are liable for the full term of the lease or until he places a new tenant. Consider yourself lucky that it's only costing you your security deposit!