'[They thought] we were bluffing': Tenants sue ex-landlords for $2,700+ in damages when they unlawfully keep their deposit, resulting in satisfying courtroom karma

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Aug 3, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Never underestimate your opponent

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  • If there's one thing we can learn from those David n' Goliath moments in life, it's that you should never underestimate your opponent. In fact, when it comes to injustices where the Big Guys are used to winning, underdogs have a tactical advantage–the element of surprise. And if you've ever rented an apartment or a house from a huge corporate landlord, you probably know what it's like to be underestimated. With painted-over light fixtures, faulty utilities, and a landlord who only responds every 3-5 business days in broken English with messages that end with ‘Sent from my iPhone’, you've probably felt like an underdog yourself. 

    But with a fury in your bones far stronger than your landlord's entitlement, renters stand to gain from being belittled. 

    The renter in our next story found his underdog strength when he faced his landlord head-to-head on move-out day. Knowing that he and his wife had left their apartment in pristine condition, they were flabbergasted when their landlord refused to return their deposit. Claiming they were using the $900 from their deposit money to ‘paint’ and to ‘clean’–the tenants were rightfully outraged. While this is where most renters would give up and accept the loss, these tenacious tenants refused to yield to the hulking, arrogant Goliath in front of them. 

    Keep scrolling to read the entire story of how these tenants sued their ex-landlords for $2,700+ in damages, collecting a check and some well-earned karmic satisfaction in small claims court.

  • 01
    "This was a huge landlord who should know better than to unlawfully keep deposits, and the judge agreed"
    via canva
  • 02
    Successfully sued our landlord for 3 times deposit Landlord Karma
    via Moonthedogg
  • 03
    My wife and I rented an apartment from a corporate landlord with dozens of units. When time came to move out, we cleaned the entire place and left it in great shape. We then waited for our deposit to be returned in full.
    via Moonthedogg
  • 04
    Instead, they sent us a check for $35 and said they were keeping about $900 for "painting" and "cleaning." So I sent them a demand letter via certified mail and said if they didn't return our deposit
    via Moonthedogg
  • 05
    within 3 weeks we would sue them in small claims. They let that deadline pass by—maybe thinking we were bluffing- until we had them served with a small claims lawsuit for the full deposit plus double damages, which is allowed under California law.
    via Moonthedogg
  • 06
    We had to wait about 5 months between the lawsuit being filed and the actual court date. On the morning of the bench trial, the new manager for the property came to us and offered our
    via Moonthedogg
  • 07
    entire deposit back if we just dropped the suit. No money for our wasted time and effort, no compensation for the 5 months they held onto our money without cause. Just offering us what they should've given us 5 months prior.
    via Moonthedogg
  • 08
    So we went to trial. The judge immediately agreed that we were owed the full deposit but wanted to know why we should get the extra damages. I pointed out that I had asked in writing numerous times for our deposit,
    via Moonthedogg
  • 09
    and that this was a huge landlord who should know better than to unlawfully keep deposits, and the judge agreed that punitive damages were appropriate. Total amount received was our original deposit + double the deposit + court costs from filing and serving the lawsuit.
    via Moonthedogg
  • 10
    meatypetey91. 21 hr. ago The most feel good story I've heard all day
    via meatypetey91
  • 11
    Everydayisfup · 20 hr. ago I did the same to a slumlord in Chicago. She paid 3x the deposit and attorney fees. Justice feels good. Good on you guys!
    via Everydayisfup
  • 12
    Clod2 18 hr. ago This is the norm for anyone who pushes this kind of thing to court - most landlords and companies assume you won't go through the effort that this person did. Be an ass, question everything and agree to nothing. These scumbags will eventually lose
    via Clod2
  • 13
    bagofdurt 19 hr. ago Did the same , they don't think people will push back and defend their rights. Congrats
    via bagofdurt
  • 14
    Appropriate-Truck614. 17 hr. ago I need to take my ex-landlord to small claims court over "uninhabitable conditions" but have dreaded the gaslighting and lies. This gives me hope. Thanks!
    via Appropriate-Truck614
  • 15
    jcr202207 11 hr. ago Just remember this - you know the facts better than anybody because you've actually lived them, for however long it's been. The landlord has little to no idea. Stay focused on what you know to be true.
    via jcr202207
  • 16
    psdancecoach 16 hr. ago I did this with the last landlord I had before my ex and I bought our house. We had lived there for 9 years and in that time, they maybe did one upgrade? They were barely reachable when something went wrong.
    via psdancecoach
  • 17
    Lucky for them, we left it in better overall condition than when we moved in. A few spots needed repainting, and since we were hurrying to get out before the month-to-month lease ran out, I'm sure we
    via psdancecoach
  • 18
    could've cleaned better. But we figured after nine years and all they have to do is run vacuums and wipe windows, we should at least be getting back what we paid in. (though technically it should have gained interest
    via psdancecoach
  • 19
    over those years) we notified in writing, dropped off our keys win and where we were told, and left affording address. Heard nothing after that. No list of damages, no check with our
    via psdancecoach
  • 20
    deposit money, nothing. After 45 days (30 required, but I gave them a 15 day grace period) I sent a letter reminding them of state law and asking for the tripled deposit amount.
    via psdancecoach
  • 21
    I got told that the carpeting was worn and they were not giving me my deposit back to replace it. Normal wear and tear doesn't count and I had photos. I let them know. I would see them in district court. Less than a week later we were able to get some nice furniture for the new house.
    via psdancecoach
  • 22
    EnigmaticBlackChic . 20 hr. ago All I can say is congratulations!!!!!
    via EnigmaticBlackChic
  • 23
    PlaySalieri 22 hr. ago Yeeeessss right into my veins
    via PlaySalieri

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instant karma landlord Courtroom tenants karmic revenge court tenant landlords sued deposit renting Reddit payback money karma Renters entitled people
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