Opinions on security deposit from some landlords here

[ecmst12]

Give it up Mrs D, you're not gonna get anywhere

 

[MIRAKALES]

When I rented the apartment last year, I put down $900 + 1 month's rent as a security deposit.

1. My lease states that a security deposit of $2000 was collected, for the purposes of remedying damage to the apartment, and none of this is to be used as last month's rent.
2. I have a receipt for payment of the $2000 deposit that simply states "Received: $2000, Purpose: security deposit."

There are contradictions in the tenant statements made above.
What was the $900 for? What was last year’s rent amount… $900 or $1100? The statement that “none of this to be used as last month’s rent” applies to the tenant attempting to not pay the rent during the final month of move-out (which initiates eviction proceedings.) Unless documented otherwise, based upon the initial post the $900 was the monthly rent last year.

 

[ecmst12]

There are NO contradictions, you just don't know how to read. The RENT was $1100. The requested and paid SD was $2000. The SD was more then one month's rent. Therefore it is illegal under DC law. Plain and simple, to those with basic reading comprehension skills.

 

[Mrs. D]

Sorry, I guess I overestimate the ability of people to do simple math. $900 + 1 months rent ($1100) = $2000. That was what I put down and what was called "security deposit" on both the lease and the SD receipt. My bad. I was just expressing the total amount as an equation instead of stating it outright. I also paid the first month's rent at lease signing. So, at lease signing, I forked over a total of $3100. The rent is $1100 monthly for both my current lease term and my renewal lease term. The amount of the security deposit was stated as $2000 in the lease, the SD receipt, and verbally from my landlord. I understand that I must pay the last month's rent, and can't count my SD towards that. I have been a tenant for a long time, and have only once lived in an apt. which required last @ lease signing. I understand that monies put down can only be counted as last month's rent when that is clearly stated. While I would not be crazy about the concept, LL considering the extra $900 plus whatever interest it earns over the next few years as part of my last month's rent, instead of my SD, would be an acceptable concept, I guess. However, that would also require a change in the terms of the lease, which states the whole $2000 is SD.

And yes, I do often feel that what I do is right. If I painted the outside of the house without LL permission, that would be a violation of my lease. Pulling weeds, removing trash, and planting flowers, in my humble opinion, is acceptable, so long as I am not destroying any existing landscaping (of which there was none @ the time I moved in). I am especially secure in this statement since LL and next-door neighbors thanked me for making the "house look so much nicer." Helping my neighbors have a civil relationship is, again, acceptable in my opinion. Fixing a cabinet that was broken when I moved in, tightening hinges so doors close properly, spackling holes former tenant left when decorations were removed, moving pile of extra bricks (left in back yard for future repairs, still in back yard but different location) because an attempted burglar used them as a stepping-stone to get over fence: all acceptable, and above and beyond what is expected of a tenant.

I don't see how anyone could believe that a tenant who does work on the apartment/building they live in is planning to cut and run, screwing over the landlord. If someone was going to just disappear before the end of their lease, why would they bother planting flowers, spackling holes, and installing a screen door so they can enjoy the breeze in the spring/fall, all at the tenant's own cost? Just because I want to bring my situation in line with the law, and also benefit from the increased interest I would earn on money illegally collected from me, doesn't mean I'm about to jump ship. More importantly, why would a tenant who is planning to leave inform their landlord that they would like to stay in the apartment for several years before they buy, and accept a new 1-year lease when a month-to-month arrangement was offered? Contrary to what some seem to believe, not all tenants are awful, lazy, cheap, dishonest people. I rent because basic economics dictates that it is the best situation for me. I could only afford about $180,000 mortgage + property taxes and insurance on the rent I currently pay. You can't get a parking spot for that in DC. So, renting makes sense for now.

 

[MIRAKALES]

It's nice that tenant performs routine maintenance tasks. It really helps to offset the below market rent.

AGAIN... What was the $900 for? Just an arbitrary figure... an anticipated expense...
We can all add, but this story just does not figure into the equation. Why provide an additional $900 JUST BECAUSE...???
The "plus security deposit" implied that the $900 was the monthly rent amount.

 

[Mrs. D]

Okay...I did not make a separate payment of $900. I paid $2000 security and $1100 first month's rent to move in. The sum of $2000 for the SD was requested because the LL had been screwed by previous tenant and wanted to make sure that (a) she had enough money to cover expenses should it happen again; and (b) the new tenant was serious about fulfilling the lease (more to lose, so to say). By law, LL is only allowed to charge 1 month's rent for SD, or $1100 in my case. I don't get why this is so hard for you to understand.

Hey, it's not my problem that she chooses not to charge what she could for the apartment. I could just let the weeds grow until she receives a citation from the city. As a tenant, the exterior of the building is not my responsibility. Nor is spackling prior tenant's holes. I could have just documented the problem and either requested a repair or left it and sued if she tried to take it out of my deposit @ end of lease. In all honesty, since she owns the home outright, all the money she makes from the apartments above maintenance and property taxes is profit. Simple math: 2 apts @ $1100/month/each + 1 apt. @ $2000/month = a whole lotta dough, even with rents lower than what she could get. I don't understand why you seem to feel that I owe my landlord something (other than my rent and performing the lease) for her choosing not to charge what she could. If you get a great deal on a car, do you owe the dealer something? If you buy something on sale do you owe the store something? Why is this any different?