What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio
Does the security deposit HAVE to be put into an escrow account? If the Landlord can not produce records that it was put in an escrow account and I learn this when I move out or if he takes me to court and I have an attorney demand that proof, can I sue the Landlord for 3X what the security deposit was even if he gives me back my money within 30 days after I broke my lease or keeps the money because the lease was broken and I ended up owing him? I couldn't afford the place after my 1 year lease was up, but have to admit that I was going to try for another year. The Landlord and I then had a verbal agreement to continue the lease for another year at a reduced monthly amount, but then I just couldn't keep it up more than 2 months and wanted to use my security deposit for the last month (this month) before I move out and he won't let me. So, I told him that he had to keep the security deposit in escrow and that he could just use that and he won't. He doesn't admit to not having it in an escrow account, but I am pretty sure he didn't/doesn't. So, I told him that if he didn't keep it in an escrow account that I could sue him for 3X what that amount was which was nearly $900, the same amount as 1/12 of the first year. I actually paid half of the first year up front and the other half 6 months later because I did not have a job and was receiving money from my ex-husband to cover the expenses. Well, that money is no longer and that made me unable to pay the rent which is about $120 less than 1/12 of the rent for that first lease year. Sorry to be so confusing. I came from Maryland, so the rules are probably similar, right? I think that that is how it was done in Maryland.
Thanks!
Does the security deposit HAVE to be put into an escrow account? If the Landlord can not produce records that it was put in an escrow account and I learn this when I move out or if he takes me to court and I have an attorney demand that proof, can I sue the Landlord for 3X what the security deposit was even if he gives me back my money within 30 days after I broke my lease or keeps the money because the lease was broken and I ended up owing him? I couldn't afford the place after my 1 year lease was up, but have to admit that I was going to try for another year. The Landlord and I then had a verbal agreement to continue the lease for another year at a reduced monthly amount, but then I just couldn't keep it up more than 2 months and wanted to use my security deposit for the last month (this month) before I move out and he won't let me. So, I told him that he had to keep the security deposit in escrow and that he could just use that and he won't. He doesn't admit to not having it in an escrow account, but I am pretty sure he didn't/doesn't. So, I told him that if he didn't keep it in an escrow account that I could sue him for 3X what that amount was which was nearly $900, the same amount as 1/12 of the first year. I actually paid half of the first year up front and the other half 6 months later because I did not have a job and was receiving money from my ex-husband to cover the expenses. Well, that money is no longer and that made me unable to pay the rent which is about $120 less than 1/12 of the rent for that first lease year. Sorry to be so confusing. I came from Maryland, so the rules are probably similar, right? I think that that is how it was done in Maryland.
Thanks!