Normal wear and tear to carpets, drapes and other furnishings cannot be charged against a tenant's security deposit. (Civil Code Section 1950.5(e).) Read More →

The bridge you don't want to burn is a bridge to nowhere. You were never going to get a good reference from your landlord, Captain Ahab, anyway. Read More →

Civil Code § 1950.5, the statute dealing with the collection and refund of security deposits, does not allow deductions for utility bills. Read More →

Landlords steal security deposits because they can. They bank on the fact that many tenants will simply walk away. Read More →

Since she refused to do a walk thru, can we be held liable for the damages that were existing when we moved in? We took pictures of everything right after we moved in and they are date imprinted. Read More →

Phone calls never, ever convince a landlord to refund a security deposit. To wait six months and think you might not have to sue is simply wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'. Read More →