Should I be worried if my tenants claim thatI did not return their security deposit?
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Should I be worried if my tenants claim thatI did not return their security deposit?
My last tenants were evicted for non-payment of rent. They were a full month and a half behind, so I kept their security deposit and sent them a claim for it via certified mail. They haven’t gotten the claim because they never changed their address with the USPS. Now he’s calling me saying he filed something with the court about me giving back the security. Should I worry about this? It’s not my fault he didn’t change his address and receive the claim.
Asked on August 2, 2011 Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You should be concerned if your former tenants are claiming that you did not return their security deposit, but not worried.
You sent them a claim for the security deposit your former tenants left with you certified mail, return receipt requested at their last known forwarding address given you. It is not your fault that they have not changed their forwarding address with the postal service. You will either receive the letter back or the signed receipt. If so, keep the letter or returned signed receipt for future need.
Presumably the certified letter sent by you to the former tenants regarding their security deposit and unpaid rent complies with the laws of your state as to return of the security deposit in full and if not, a debit from the security deposit for unpaid rent for that month and a half.
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