If my apartment manager forged me and my roommates initials on our lease. What charges is she facing and will this help me get my deposit back?
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If my apartment manager forged me and my roommates initials on our lease. What charges is she facing and will this help me get my deposit back?
We had a two different copies of the lease. Our copy said move out April 30th; their copy said move out May 31st amended though. But my original roommates moved out in September and a new one moved in. So somehow my first roommates initials are on my lease with my new roommates name typed in the lease. So that’s how I can prove it was fraud.
Asked on April 30, 2009 under Criminal Law, Texas
Answers:
J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I am not a licensed attorney in TX but fraud is fraud and it seems you have a very shady landlord that is exposing himself to liability. You have not provided me with all the information I need to provide you with a definitive answer, however, I can tell you that if you can prove that the landlord committed a forgery, I would contact your local police department and show the police your evidence and explain to them that your landlord is retaining you security deposit unlawfully. There is probably a statute in your state (check with the housing court in your area) that says that a landlord is obligated to return the deposit within 30 days after you move out upon being given notice and so forth. You may even have a claim for double damages (i.e. you get 2 times your security deposit). Again, I would get the police involved to show the fraud and prove the date that you moved out and then talk to a lawyer that does landlord-tenant law. While you may be able to handle the claim yourself, the statute for going after the landlord may permit you to have the landlord pay your attorney's fees, thus making this worth it for you to have a knowledgeable person by your side to make sure your rights are protected. Good luck!
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