Every renters deposit STOLEN by new apartment owner Vancouver, WA

[Drew Mim Mack]

Had a discussion with potential tenants for my SFR. Their current landlord bought the complex they live in about a year ago. He told them that their previous deposit left with the old owner and they had to pay him a new deposit to continue living there.

Is this legal?  Do they have to sue the old owner to get there deposits back or is current own full of (ENTER expletive?)