What to do if our landlord recently sold the building we are renting?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if our landlord recently sold the building we are renting?
The new landlord, knowing we will be moving soon, is threatening to keep most of our security deposit, even though our apartment is in very good shape, and they have no idea what the apartment was like before we moved in. Is there any law protecting us from this that I can show them prior to it getting that far?
Asked on October 2, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Your landlord may only withhold the security deposit (in part or whole) to pay for damage *beyond normal wear and tear* which you caused to the unit, or to pay for any rent which you failed to pay. If the landlord withholds your security deposit without valid cause, you could sue him for its return and possibly for additional compensation as well. You could sue in small claims court if you wanted, where you can act as your own attorney, cases move more quickly, and court costs are lower.
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.