What can i do if I got into a fight with my roommates before I moved out and now they will not give me back my damage deposit?
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What can i do if I got into a fight with my roommates before I moved out and now they will not give me back my damage deposit?
They have cashed my part of the damage deposit themselves and refuse to answer any of my phone calls or emails. The number they gave me for the landlord is the wrong number and I never met her because I moved in late.
Asked on April 29, 2012 under Real Estate Law, District of Columbia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Your roommates stole from you--if they cashed and kept your part of the damage deposit, they committed a form of theft. The fact that they were angry at you does not give them the right to do this. You could sue them for its return, including possibly suing in small claims court, where you could act as your own attorney, saving on legal costs. You would need to prove that they received the deposit and testify that they never turned your portion over to you.
You might also wish to consider contacting the police--what they did is a crime.
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