What are a tenat’s rights regarding damage to rental property?
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What are a tenat’s rights regarding damage to rental property?
I chipped a round glass table top. My landlord wanted me to pay $1200 (my entire deposit) for a special kind of glass. I proved to her it was just a normal kind of glass worth $350. I then filed a small courts claim. Now she wants to settle saying I can just pay the $350. If I go to court, can I get my whole deposit back? I have an email from her saying she did not know if it was the special kind of glass or a normal kind of glass when she wanted me to pay the $1200.
Asked on October 22, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You will likely not get the entire deposit back. The landlord is entitled to the reasonable cost to repair or replace furniture which you damaged. If the reasonable cost would be $350, the landlord would almost certainly be allowed to retain that much of your deposit.
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