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Security Deposit Refund Complaint

By Kyle

How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

No matter what kind of apartment or rental house you lease; you’re always going to be forced to come up with a security deposit ranging from a few hundred dollars up to a couple of months worth of rent.  The purpose of paying the money is to protect the rental unit from damage or abuse.  But, it seems many landlords find ways to keep your deposit when they shouldn’t.  Luckily, you have some renters rights when it comes to deposit refund.

 

#1 Rule:  Your Landlord Can’t Keep Your Deposit unless…

  • You agreed the deposit is non-refundable.  (Very Rare)
  • You left the apartment damaged beyond normal wear and tear. (Think holes in carpet, broken tiles, etc)
  • You owe a balance for unpaid rent.

If any of the above scenarios meet your situation you are still entiled to a refund for any unused portion.  For example if you paid a deposit of $300 and owed $200 in back rent; your landlord is still required to refund $100.  If you left damage beyond normal wear and tear; the landlord can only charge you for the cost to repair the damage and will be required to refund the rest.

 

Did you know, you can file a Security Deposit Refund Complaint?

The Rental Protection Agency complaint center handles deposit refund complaints for all 50 states.  This process is painless for tenants and will usually result in an immediate refund of your deposit.  Landlords know they are required by law to comply with deposit statutes that force them to refund apartment deposits.  Filing a complaint with the RPA is a simple way to get your landlord to refund your deposit.  Its your right to get it back.

How to file a complaint to get your deposit back:

 

  1. Go to the RPA Complaint center: http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/deposit-refund-complaint
  2. Fill out the deposit complaint form
    (Note: Don’t forget; on the complaint form request that your landlord reimburse you for the $35 filing fee)
  3. Get Your Case Number
    (Track the status of the complaint / get your deposit refunded)

Filing a complaint is a simple way to fight for your deposit back.  Some landlords will try to intimidate or convince tenants that their deposit is not going to be refunded due to bogus or unethical charges.  As a tenant you have rights.  The RPA will work to help protect those rights to see that your deposit is refunded.

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Edited on: Monday, August 19th, 2013 4:52 am
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One Response to “Security Deposit Refund Complaint”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

Agent S. Paxton

September 8th, 2008 12:06 pm

I’ve seen that many states have out-lawed the “Non-refundable” deposit. In the future I would urge caution when signing a contract that requires a non-refundable rental deposit of any kind.
Should you take the refund or should you dispute it? The answer is simple… If you feel like the charges aren’t fair or merited, then you should dispute it. I’m sure you work hard for your money, and afterall I can think of a lot of things I could get for $115.
Now looking at your charges… The one item that should be non-disputed is the charge for water usage, that should most likely be your responsibility. So this leaves you with $75 worth of deposit charges that you don’t agree with. It’s up to you whether its worth disputing over $75. I would imagine it is still worth it to you, or you wouldn’t have taken the time to log onto the internet to question the charges.
So what are your options?
A) Attorney: $150 to $250 per hour
B) RPA Deposit Complaint: $35 Fee (Which should be reimbursed by your landlord)
C) Dispute it yourself: Time/ effort (low success rate)

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