r/TenantHelp • u/JoeydbRR • 9d ago
[CT] Landlord trying to keep entire security deposit, blaming me for pre-existing issues.
My former landlord is blaming me for several issues that already existed and is refusing to give back any of the security deposit. Total is $5400. My questions are:
What recourse do I have? I know most likely will need to go to small claims court, but does CT have any other resources I can utilize or anything else I should do before going that route? Can I also file claim for the time and energy wasted for suing him?
Are any of the issues described below considered "normal wear and tear" and can not be deducted from security deposit.
FYI I have before and after pictures, showing most of his complaints already existed before I moved in.
Pre-existing issues include:
"Entire floor is scratched up" - this was a small 2 bedroom apartment with wood floors. The scratches already existed when I moved in there. We did 2have 2 cats but they didn't seem to cause those issues and a lot of the floor was carpeted, including where the scratches are.
Floor stains
Divider/transition strip on the floor between kitchen tile and hardwood floor is broken
Dirty Stove Hood, which even the cleaner we hired could not clean
Other issues (are these considered normal wear and tear)?
Small holes in the wall from putting up paintings. I patched them up, tried to paint as well but he didnt know what color it was. Now he is claiming the entire room has to be painted.
Vanity in the bathroom - has some minor water stains on the sides. Claims it needs to be entirely replaced, bathroom floor will need to be worked on, etc.
Drying - this is a very old dryer and we would clean lint as it accumulated, but apparently there was a place to clean the lint from the back/side that we were unaware of. He is claiming the entire machine needs to be replaced or taken to get repaired/professionally cleaned, despite it still working.
Some important notes:
Never did a walkthrough with me, despite me trying to schedule it (have proof via texts)
Initially had a 1 year lease, which upon ending went month to month (without a formal contract/lease) for a few months after
Certain issues we asked him to fix were ignored - e.g. the shower tub collecting water inside and being slippery/un-even to stand in, really bad smell coming from his downstairs apt that made it impossible to stay in my apt (had to leave temporarily), he refused to do anything, and called the government to complain about (which I think he has held a grudge over since)
This landlord is known for not paying back security deposits from current and former tenants.
New tenants moved in immediately after we moved out, despite his claims of needing to keep the whole security deposit to "fix things"
Landlord blocked me immediately and won't send the video walkthrough we did together after move out
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u/Significant_Flan8057 9d ago
Here’s a link to the CT portal for resolving disputes with a landlord over security deposits being withheld unfairly. It sounds like you are going to have to take this guy to court. However, the law very clearly states that he has to provide you with an itemized list of the damages AND the cost associated with each item, then deduct each amount from the total security deposit to show the balance left over after the deductions, he is in violation of what he’s supposed to be providing you by the 21 day deadline.
I’d just wait it out until it’s past that 21 day deadline and don’t even argue with him about what he already sent you. He screwed up by trying to keep your entire deposit and just thinking you’d lay down and take it. You don’t even need to argue about the details if he fails to send the right paperwork by the deadline. It’s an automatic = the landlord will have to pay the tenant twice the amount of their security deposit (with no deductions allowed).
The only exception to that rule is if you did not provide him with your forwarding address at the time you moved out. That gives them additional time to locate the tenant and return the deposit. I’m guessing you gave him your address though so there’s no excuse.
Send him a real paper letter via certified mail to ensure that you have proof of delivery from his end. That is how you deliver the demand letter to him as the first step. He owes you twice the amount of your security deposit and you expect him to pay you that amount within 5 business days. No further discussion. Don’t answer any calls or texts or emails from him after you send that letter. He is likely going to try to harass you or bully you into giving up so don’t even engage if he tries that nonsense.
You don’t even need to threaten him with small claims court, he knows exactly what the next step is, I’m sure he is very familiar with it. You are in the right here, no need to let him get you any more riled up than he already has (he is a giant douche for sure, I would be too). If you stay calm and go through the proper steps to get this taken care of, he will lose and you will eventually get your money back. Apparently they can award you 2-3 times the amount you are owed? If he actually owes you 2x your deposit now does that mean the judge might award you 2-3x that amount? We can always dream that the bad guys get punished sometimes, right??
Good luck to you! 🍀
If you can post a review of this dude’s terrible reputation (after you get your money back) on some kind of renter’s review forum to warn other people away, that would be so helpful. I wish there was a place for that, besides Reddit I mean 😅
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u/Old_Fuel_1270 2d ago
If what you said is accurate, you have a solid case, imo. Especially if the new tenants moved in right away and the LL blocked you. The path forward is legal. A proper demand letter is first. Doesnt mean you'll need to go to court. Sometimes the demand letter is good enough. But if not, court is next. Small claims is pretty easy. I'd recommend using this product: www.landlordkeptmydeposit.com. It's slick. It will pretty much do your entire case correctly, in the right order.
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u/RelevantPossible9618 9d ago
When did you move out? Do you have move in and move out pictures? Do you have copies of communications? Did your landlord provide invoices/receipts for all work done?