Landlord abuse of the security deposit?

[Account Closed]

Hi guys, 

So, I am a recent tenant that moved out of a Los Angeles, CA unit (2737 Francis Ave) owned by LBJ Realty Holdings, LLC and Hollywood Fountain, LLC and am curious if any tenants/ landlords here can explain this away:

So, being a meticulous and obsessive neat freak, I had documented with photos and videos when I had moved in and out of the unit (all original condition, any damages, etc.). I also read the lease 3 times in full detail. 

The lease states that the only cleaning fee would be an $85 charge taken out of my deposit, plus any other painting needs needed (of course, the phrasing was so vague for the latter but I made sure that they were not taking out for "painting" for normal wear-and-tear). I was also only there for 6 months.

When I finally got the deposit that, an extra $40 was taken out for "cleaning" making the total for "cleaning costs" $125. I asked for receipts but so far they have not come forward with them (probably because there may not have been any receipts at all).

Having rented over 5 places in California in my entire life, this is the first time that I did not get my full deposit back to me for a unit that was left in proper and clean condition - supported by my photos and videos, as well as the walk-through inspection where both the property manager and I even confirmed that the condition is good.

So... landlords and/ or current/ past tenants - was I cheated out of my $40 for no reason? This seems unfair that landlords can just take whatever they want from the deposit without justifying it with receipts. LBJ Realty Holdings, LLC and Hollywood Fountain, LLC never produced the receipts to me (the ones they said they had) when I questioned about the additional $40.

Also, to add some context, I am moving back to my home country and I feel like that situation made LBJ Realty Holdings, LLC and Hollywood Fountain, LLC think that they could take advantage of the deposit by absconding with extra cash (thinking that just because I am not in the US any longer, that it won't bother me).

The investing industry is really small - I don't know if they were aware that tenants can also be people of influence, lawyers, doctors, business owners and investors themselves.