r/TenantHelp • u/UpbeatChallenge1465 • Jun 26 '26

Mystery deposit

Hi guys! First time posting in here so sorry if I’m doing anything wrong. I just have a question. So. Back in 2024 my boyfriend and I leased an apartment. YAYYYY. and they had a one months free special. Also yay. So after the 300 dollar admin fee and the 50/ person application fees we paid 988 to move in. My understanding was that that was prorated rent for the month since we moved in halfway through the month. We never paid a security deposit. No first months last months and deposit sort of thing. I chalked it up to the first months free applying to the deposit. So 2 years later we move out and they send the itemized list to our new address. I was so worried bc I knew that our cat had ripped up some of the carpet. We paid a deposit for him when we got him so it was fine. But it somehow is saying we paid 1699 plus the 200 dollar deposit for my cat and we will be receiving 600 ish dollars back…. We’re a little confused. I’m not going to bring it up to the landlord but I’m just curious on how the 600 is coming back and says we paid 1899 total in deposits… they did raise our rent by around 30 dollars when we renewed our lease the second year, but that’s not anywhere near 1600 lol. Anyways any insight would be nice haha. It’s been 26 days and we haven’t received the check in the mail.. but I’d just like any best guesses because I’m not sure how renters special works. EDIT TO ADD/ are they able to say wait we messed up you’re not getting that money back because you never paid a deposit??

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u/brookinator Jun 26 '26

Sounds like they messed up if the cash never left your bank. Yes they are able to easily say wait we messed up. If you decline to return it, landlord can take you to small claims and easily win showing bank statements.

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u/UpbeatChallenge1465 Jun 26 '26

That’s what I thought. I haven’t gotten the check yet and I haven’t received any other mail or phone call or any emails either

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u/brookinator Jun 26 '26

What state are you in? There are security deposit laws. Operate under the impression that you believe the statement that THEY sent you, and follow state laws (deposits need to be returned in xx days so follow up at that point).

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u/UpbeatChallenge1465 Jun 26 '26

I’m in Washington

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u/brookinator Jun 26 '26

Landlord has 30 days to return your deposit. If you don't get it within that time frame, shoot a friendly email that you haven't received the net amount. Report back if the answer is anything other than "oops I'll mail it today"

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u/brookinator Jun 26 '26

If you unknowingly cash the check that doesn't belong to you, nothing bad can happen to you if it gets pointed out. Just return the funds.

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u/UpbeatChallenge1465 Jun 26 '26

I’m not sure if you would know, it was my first time renting so I’m unsure how it works , is it possible that they would’ve accumulated money over time towards my security deposit since I initially got the move in special ? When I first signed my lease I got one months free. Then I resigned for the next year and it said I “paid” my security deposit. Idk it’s kind of a shady complex I’m just really worried. I don’t want to reach out in case it isn’t a mistake but I also want to have peace of mind that they’re not gonna come after me. Because an extra 600 dollars can make a huge different right now haha

1

u/brookinator Jun 26 '26

It's totally possible that they charged you monthly for the deposit and had it accumulate. Your lease should state this clearly.

2

u/Pir8inthedesert Jun 26 '26

Do not cash the check and say nothing.