My rental lease was until the end of August (August 31, 2009) which I paid full amount on the first day of August. I moved to the new place August 15, 2009.
On August 30th, I was planning to go back and clean up the place in the afternoon. But the owner came with her boyfriend (i guess to ck out the place) without any notification and her boyfriend found out the balcony door is not opening and he tried to open it and broke it.
Apt building was renovating the balcony and they locked the door from outside after we moved out (it was working when we were there on Aug. 15). Apt manager is saying they notified the date of locking the balcony door (written) which we didnt get it. Now owner is saying it was our responsibility to notified her the situation which lead them to break it.
She says she will deduct the estimated amount from our security deposit.
but is this right when the property was ours until the end of August?
Probably not, which is why you should refuse to agree to this deduction from your security deposit and inform the owner that if she goes ahead with it, you will have to sue her in small claims court to recover it.
Michael E. Hendrickson
Attorney & Counsellor at Law
211 North Union Street Suite 100
Alexandria, 22314