Wht to do if half of my security deposit is being withheld without proof of work being done?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Wht to do if half of my security deposit is being withheld without proof of work being done?
A landlord has only returned half of our security deposit with no proof or receipts of work done. He has explained the money he’s withholding (about $1500) in an email but has provided no proof. He has also claimed we’ve taken things from the home that I know were not on the inventory checklist when we moved in. We unfortunately do not have a copy of this checklist, and he is refusing to give us a copy of his (I don’t think he has it either). Does he legally have to provide us receipts of the work he’s had done? Can we file a small claim?
Asked on June 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The landlord does not need to provide copies of receipts with his security deposit disposition letter or statement. However, if you believe that he has withheld amounts that he is not entitled to (e.g. for items you did not take; for work he did not do; for damage you did not cause; and/or at inflated rates), you could sue him for the return of the security deposit (such as in small claims court). During the course of the litigation, he will have to show the work and amounts paid.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.