How can I get my name removed from the lease of an apartment that I don’t live in anymore and get my share of the deposit back?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How can I get my name removed from the lease of an apartment that I don’t live in anymore and get my share of the deposit back?
Me and my roommate lived in an apartment with a 12 month lease. When the 12 months were up we signed a contract with the leasing office saying we would leave the apartment and turn in the keys. Then after I had moved out and I was at the leasing office ready to hand in the keys but they said I couldn’t because they had extended the contract with my roommate, without my knowledge. My name is still on the lease and I cannot get my half of the deposit back ($1400) until she moves out, which could be in months, or years. Can I do something to get my money back?
Asked on December 11, 2011 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The best way to resolve the situation you are writing about and get the return of your money is to write your former landlord a letter stating that the lease that you signed was for 12 months and that you never signed any document renewing it.
In the letter, I would request the return of your security deposit by a set date and if not returned by then, your option would be to file a small claims action for its return. Keep a copy of the letter for future reference.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.