Looks like I'm plain screwed? Landlord keeping my security deposit:

[LPCTech]

I live in Chicago. Only the south and west sides are dangerous, I live on the north side and my apt is 2000sqft and is $800 a month. My neighbors are mostly old people.

The media slightly exaggerates the danger here. Ive never been bothered...but again, I live in the nice part, the not nice parts are pretty dangerous i guess lol

 

[rga]

Oh this guy. This guy is harboring a three year old grudge against me. He pops up once in a blue and spews his hatred like this.

So sad. It was at a fitness forum where I didn't follow his workout routine, I mean wtf? Oh, internet.

I'm not sure where you found hate in my post. You posted a very vague thread about your ex-landlord ripping off your security deposit; you left important details like when you moved out and how long it's been since you've last communicated with your ex-landlord. Every poster in this thread gave you some relevant information assuming you actually had been ripped off. I assumed different, in that you moved out recently, had only been out of communication for a short time, that you aren't the only tenant she had, and that she would probably get back to you after some more pressing matter - to her - was take. care of since she has 30 days by law to respond to you.

Here's a thought that didn't cross your mind because you were too busy typing gibberish: I've been in your situation before. My ex-landlord didn't give me my deposit back in person when I moved out. I hadn't heard from by the end of the following week, so I called and left a message. The week after he returned my called to tell me he'd been out the country for a funeral for a family member and the my refund would be deposited into my bank account the following week, and it was.

It took almost three weeks for me to get my security deposit back, so my point was to not worry when it's only been 48-72 hours and you haven't received yours. I didn't put the details in my post; I left it vague intentionally, as you did yours.

Stop being such a whiny little bitch.

 

[Ns1]

Chicago is fantastic. It would take a zero dollar payment for me to live there (again).

But I understand your reservations: I don't think there is any bull penis to be found.

But it is one of the best foodie places anywhere.

It's also extremely cold. And extremely hot. I hear it's kinda windy sometimes too.

 

[zinfamous]

It's also extremely cold. And extremely hot. I hear it's kinda windy sometimes too.

yeah, there's only 2 seasons, but it's an awesome place if you like chill people (that aren't fake--unlike the big CA cities), beer, food, and all that a major city has to offer.

The biggest problem with Chicago, ime, is that there is nowhere else to go, unless your idea of nature is cornfields.

 

[Mike64]

Oh this guy.

http://forums.anandtech.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist

:whiste:

 

[CA19100]

I always consider the deposit lost. I have literally never damaged anything ... and I've never gotten a deposit back.

I don't understand that. I used to move a lot for my job. Over the past 20 years, I've lived in 10 different apartments. Out of all of those, I've lost a sum total of $150 in deposit money, and it was for legitimate, itemized damages or something I forgot to clean.

They don't get to keep your deposit just because they feel like it. In every state I've lived in, they're required to keep the money in a separate account, and itemize any deductions from it when it's returned to you.

 

[Exterous]

The biggest problem with Chicago, ime, is that there is nowhere else to go, unless your idea of nature is cornfields.

I'd be a bit more concerned about Chicago's money problem than 'no where else to go'. The public school system and pension funds are rapidly heading for a cliff that will make Detroit's money problems look minuscule in comparison

 

[highland145]

I'd be a bit more concerned about Chicago's money problem than 'no where else to go'. The public school system and pension funds are rapidly heading for a cliff that will make Detroit's money problems look minuscule in comparison

Only if the fed gives them a bailout. Otherwise, let 'em eat cake.

 

[destrekor]

This? At least it won't be your word against hers. Maybe there should be a formal check off list that gets signed at the end of the walk thru instead.

An apartment I shared with a couple others had that. A list of things that were recorded during initial check-in, checking literally everything and making notes for anything wrong at the start. And then we did the same thing when we left, and basically nothing changed. They tried to keep the whole deposit and even asked for more.

My roommate also took plenty of pictures to backup what was noted.


It took a while to argue with the rental folks but it was eventually brought way down.

 

[SP33Demon]

Zeze, same thing just happened to us in November. We bought a house, moved out and the landlord never gave us our deposit after I sent her my info via email. To make matters worse, she hired a contractor to renovate the place after we left and she never paid him either! So now I have the contractor who will be suing her along with me and will testify that the house wasn't damaged beyond normal wear and tear. I'm going to give her one more chance via text and email to pay up, and after that it's small claims. I'll file a writ of execution after I win and put a lien on her house, as well as hounding her with letters to pay.

The crazy thing is she seemed really nice and we had been there for years and never missed a payment. I paid professionals to come and clean the place and we did a walkthrough and gave her the key. Then one day the contractor tells me that she's not giving us our deposit back (she told him). We were like wtf? Some people are just greedy assholes and you have to call their bluff and bitchslap them if necessary.

 

[gorcorps]

I live in Chicago. Only the south and west sides are dangerous, I live on the north side and my apt is 2000sqft and is $800 a month. My neighbors are mostly old people.

The media slightly exaggerates the danger here. Ive never been bothered...but again, I live in the nice part, the not nice parts are pretty dangerous i guess lol

Oh that's good, only half of the city is dangerous... no big deal then

But I'm not a city person. I'll never understand being that close to so many people. The noise, the traffic, etc.

 

[Schfifty Five]

No updates?

Looks like we got Zeze'd. He creates this thread, barely responds to it, and just lets everyone else argue with each other. Well done Zeze.

 

[NetWareHead]

Have you seen the rents in areas around and in NYC? $2k/mo is not out of the question. Houses/condos/coops are not necessarily cheaper and leave you with less flexibility if you are young and looking to relocate in the nearer term.

Wanted to add my input to help dispel some of the outrage about NJ rents. I own a condo in Bergen county; roughly 40 minutes from NYC. 1300 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths. The rent was 1850 until I put in a luxury kitchen 3 years ago. I raised the rent to 2300 and in less than a month it was rented by a guy who agreed on the spot at the first showing. The bathrooms need to be done too and I'll similarly upgrade them to high end as well as convert some of the carpetted areas to hardwood. I'm hoping to get 2500-2600

 

[dr150]

OP,
If you want to feel good, feel my pain.....

I evicted 2 drug addicts from my unit. After the immense damage they did to my property, legal fees & legal wait time, MY 3 months personal time renovating it, and lost rent, I was out $15000+. Btw, the place I rented out to these FUCKS was in PRISTINE condition!
.
.
As far as you're concerned, dealing with anything legal-related for rent is time consuming, with costs (a lawyer will cost you $200+), and stressful!

Go to the court and see if you can handle the paperwork in your State on your own. You should be able to. Courts have an on-site help center with advisors that'll help you fill out the cryptic legalese language. Don't get intimidated by it...but it will be a slog going through "procedure".

I hope for your sake you took video and pictures and have some sort of signed "exit" checklist with the super. This will help your case go more smoothly. If you don't have this, ASK IMMEDIATELY (before the unit gets worked on and is rented out) to have access to take video/pics. A lawyer can execute quickly and get you immediate ACCESS to the place if the landlord resists entry.

If you don't, prepare for a more "he said, she said" type of battle which will likely culminate in a "compromise" with you getting some money back.

Just be prepared for stress and mindfully go into it accepting the fact that you've lost the money but will fight your douchebag slumlord tactic landlord!

I definitely suggest you contact a good rental lawyer. The "specialists" do this at a reasonable cost and you can pick their brains out on their opinions over the phone. Go with one that gives you their time on the phone and ain't asking for check before aksing just a simple Google question.

Oftentimes bringing in a lawyer will scare the shit out of the landlord (unless they too are lawyers) and should ultimately acquiesce to your demands. A specialist lawyer does this transaction in their sleep and it's worth the money to relieve your time onto more important things. Legal paperwork is purposefully complicated and filled with potholes where you could very well do something wrong.

By going the lawyer route, as long as it's $$$ reasonable, it'll allow you to likely get most or all of your money back without you having to kick your foot into a wall in frustration from the "do it yourself" paperwork. I used a lawyer in my eviction and it was money VERY well spent! It saved me from turning gray and saved it from going from a bad to worse situation in execution!

 

[Genx87]

Did you have dwelling insurance? They have options for damage up to a limit. On my rental properties the insurance company will cover up to 50,000 worth of damage by the tenant.

 

[Blackjack200]

I evicted 2 drug addicts from my unit. After the immense damage they did to my property, legal fees & legal wait time, MY 3 months personal time renovating it, and lost rent, I was out $15000+. Btw, the place I rented out to these FUCKS was in PRISTINE condition!

Holy shit, are you me?

I'm only out the hock about $5k so far, but I'm also far from done. :'(

 

[Blackjack200]

Did you have dwelling insurance? They have options for damage up to a limit. On my rental properties the insurance company will cover up to 50,000 worth of damage by the tenant.

I meant to change my policy from a regular homeowners to a rental. Never did. Didn't mind the extra fee, just never got around to it. Too lazy.

Someone please just put a fucking bullet in my head.

 

[Ns1]

@dr150, Blackjack200

Stories like that are why I'm afraid to get into real estate investing. My parents don't have good stories to tell either.

 

[lxskllr]

@dr150, Blackjack200

Stories like that are why I'm afraid to get into real estate investing. My parents don't have good stories to tell either.

It looks like a pita to me. I know a couple people who rent property. Even without the horror stories, it sucks having to deal with people. It's like being legally attached to craigslist.

 

[dr150]

It looks like a pita to me. I know a couple people who rent property. Even without the horror stories, it sucks having to deal with people. It's like being legally attached to craigslist.

Indeed. Having to deal with people is the absolute worst.

When you go thru the process of renting, the candidates are all crap. They lie. They manipulate. It doesn't matter how much research you do on them (they all have skeletons in their closets that would initially make them "unrentable"...i.e. son/friend getting out of prison to come live with the renters and having his fellow gang members lodge in your rental, etc)

No matter how much vetting you do, tenants will always try to get at you for something. And when they leave, pray they didn't damage too much!

You better get lots of insurance and pray the tenant isn't an absolute douchebag to make your life hell!

 

[crashtech]

It's legal to pull credit on prospective tenants, and it's actually (by definition) a decent indicator of willingness to meet obligations.

 

[dr150]

It's legal to pull credit on prospective tenants, and it's actually (by definition) a decent indicator of willingness to meet obligations.

Not at all. Trust me.

Just b/c a person has credit doesn't show the skeletons in the closet.....or problem family members that come live with them causing damage.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Not at all. Trust me.

Just b/c a person has credit doesn't show the skeletons in the closet.....or problem family members that come live with them causing damage.

Who cares? Generally speaking crashtech is correct! Anybody can spout an exception to the rule......sheesh!!

 

[crashtech]

Not at all. Trust me.

Just b/c a person has credit doesn't show the skeletons in the closet.....or problem family members that come live with them causing damage.

It would be an exaggeration to say "not at all." As with any business, risks are only managed, not eliminated.

 

[brianmanahan]

I evicted 2 drug addicts from my unit. After the immense damage they did to my property, legal fees & legal wait time, MY 3 months personal time renovating it, and lost rent, I was out $15000+. Btw, the place I rented out to these F***S was in PRISTINE condition!

thissss is why i just buy REITs