Security deposit

[Roses253]

My state is Wyoming. I signed a month to month lease and a purchase agreement (to purchase the house within 2 years). Before I bought the place I had an electrical inspection done. The landlord fixed those things before the purchase took place. Our updated purchase agreement stated that he’d pay for any electrical repairs that were found during an inspection.

I purchased the house and he turned around and wrote a letter stating my security deposit will be forfeited because I caused extensive electrical damage (none that I caused and were safety issues such as copper wiring, fan blades drooping, stuff with gfic outlets, wiring that goes into garage, etc.).

Is this even legal and should I contact an attorney?

Security deposit is $1600

carolyn

 

[quincy]

My state is Wyoming. I signed a month to month lease and a purchase agreement (to purchase the house within 2 years). Before I bought the place I had an electrical inspection done. The landlord fixed those things before the purchase took place. Our updated purchase agreement stated that he’d pay for any electrical repairs that were found during an inspection.

I purchased the house and he turned around and wrote a letter stating my security deposit will be forfeited because I caused extensive electrical damage (none that I caused and were safety issues such as copper wiring, fan blades drooping, stuff with gfic outlets, wiring that goes into garage, etc.).

Is this even legal and should I contact an attorney?

carolyn

How much is the security deposit?

 

[Roses253]

How much is the security deposit?

Security deposit is $1600

 

[quincy]

Security deposit is $1600

It probably will not be worth the expense of involving an attorney then.

You could sue the landlord/seller in small claims if you want to. Or you could simply write it off.

 

[adjusterjack]

Security deposit is $1600

Here's the Wyoming security deposit statute:

https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2019/title-1/chapter-21/article-12/section-1-21-1208/

If it was me I'd go to small claims court in a heartbeat.

 

[FarmerJ]

You didnt tell us but this is important, DID the former landlord hold your deposit funds AFTER you had purchased this house ? I ask that because the day you closed and the home became yours this former LL lost all rights to claim the deposit funds since he no longer owned it.

 

[Roses253]

You didnt tell us but this is important, DID the former landlord hold your deposit funds AFTER you had purchased this house ? I ask that because the day you closed and the home became yours this former LL lost all rights to claim the deposit funds since he no longer owned it.

Yes, my former landlord held my deposit funds after I purchased this house and still has them to this day

 

[Zigner]

Yes, my former landlord held my deposit funds after I purchased this house and still has them to this day

Generally, when a buyer purchases a property with an existing tenant, the security deposit transfers to the buyer. In other words, the security deposit is part of the purchase. Check your closing statement to see if it was applied there. It should have been...

 

[FarmerJ]

If you cant find any mention of the deposit in the closing documents then I would suggest you consider using small claims court and sue for it Reason being former landlord had NO right hold it when they didnt own the property any more.