Can an ex-roommate withhold landlord information when you request it?
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Can an ex-roommate withhold landlord information when you request it?
I lived in a house for two months in which I gave proper notice to vacate and paid my part of utilities an fees. I did not receive my deposit within 21 days so I contacted my ex-roommate and he said the landlord was out of town or must of not sent it yet. Then 2 weeks past and I informed my ex-roommate that I was entitled to my deposit after 21 days and if I could have the landlords number so I can ask him about it but he will not give me his name or number can i sue for waiting almost 2 months?
Asked on August 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
No person, ex-roommate or not, is obligated to provide another person with a third party's address, phone number, or contact information as a general matter. If you believe your roommate has kept the deposit for himself, you could sue the roommate and in that lawsuit, get information, including about the landlord; or you can file a lawsuit against the landlord, using his regular contact information (the phone number, address, etc. where you sent your rent), and in that lawsuit get information such as whether and to whom he has sent the deposit. You could also try simply contacting the landlord at his regular contact information. But unfortunately, if you need information that someone will not voluntarily provide you, you can only get in the course of a lawsuit.
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