Security Deposit Questions

[Laurie Zavadil]

Hi! We moved out of our apartment in San Francisco on May 29th. Our landlord took out over 2000 from our security deposit for "repairs" to items that were previously damaged. For example he took $1000 to redo, restain, repair hardwood floors. I noted in my move in report that the floors were scratched and scuffed and have a picture of the floors. He also said we need to pay for new windows since several of them had long cracks on them (they're single paned windows and prob 40 years old) My question is he sent us good faith estimates of the repairs. Its been over a month and we know for a fact that the new tenants moved in yesterday so plenty of time to do these said repairs. Don't they have to send us actual invoice of the repairs? I don't believe they will do any repairs at all and just take our money for things we didn't even do. thanks!

[Rick Trivedi]

@Laurie Zavadil - Landlords are supposed to send you the statement/breakup of deductions - dont think actual receipts are required at that point, but you have right to demand it for sure. But if you do go to small claims court, they will have to produce those receipts, pictures and documentation of before and after. Also regular wear and tear for 3 years of tenancy will be taken into account as long as its not tenants fault, it is landlords responsibility. Usually its not either party's best interest to go through the court so these things are normally worked out before it reaches that point. But if you feel like they are not co-operative, certainly the next step is to go to small claims court. I would recommend you keep proof of all communication to them and if or if not they responded to your queries.