tenant rights security deposit

[marie450]

is it legal for a landlord to request an additional security deposit from a tenant after he bought the building?the previous landlord died about three years ago. last november 2000 the present landord claims that letters were sent out stating that all tenants are required to pay an additonal security deposit a month and half to be exact if this is a fact the lease that i signed last november 2000 did not have this stipulation if this true why wasn't i evicted before now according to him i will be if $1,400.00 is not paid soon. please respond as soon as possible. by the way the state is new jersey,passaic is the city.

 

[LL]

If your lease is valid and does not provide for additional security deposit, then he can't demand it until the end of the lease.

Of course, you depend on a good relation with the landlord in order to get your lease renewed. If you are worried about eviction, why don't you send a letter to the new landlord with a copy of your lease and asking what is this about additional security deposit, and why.

 

[dj1]

In new jesey the answer is NO.....

Your lease transfers to the new owner as well as the security deposit, and can only be increased when you sign a new lease.

If the other tenants are on a month to month lease then the answer is yes he can demand 2 months security or else he can evict.

The landlord must inform you at least 60 days before the end of the lease if he wants to increase the security to 2 months... the logic is if he gave it to you 30 days before your lease ends, you still need a reasonable amount of time to decide if you are going to renew the lease, since it requires more then just a small percentage increase, and you must be given enough time to decide if you want to give your 30 day notice and move out when the lease ends......

So the landlord cannot say you broke the lease or didnt give a 30 day notice. and try and keep the deposit as a penalty.

[Edited by dj1 on 04-13-2001 at 12:34 AM]