Landlord refuses to give tenants their security deposit back, claims his late wife handled it, leading tenants to pursue in court: ‘I have receipts, photos, and documentation’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 17, 2026 11:15 AM EDT

This landlord is using his late wife as an excuse to get away with his actions; should he be allowed?

We know that losing someone dear to you can be life-changing, and in most cases, you never return to the same person you were before. While we can't, and don't want, to know how difficult that may be, we also want to believe that you don't lose yourself completely, especially when it comes to your morals.

None of our loved ones would be happy if we became terrible people once they are gone, and if anything, the opposite should be true. We should only try to improve ourselves to honor the people we lost, and make them proud wherever they might be.

Is the landlord below making his late wife proud? Probably not. And using her as an excuse for his action is not enough to allow him to get away with it, not at least according to his tenants, who shared their entire issue with him.

When they rented a unit from this landlord and his wife, she handled all the paperwork. After she passed, he became a difficult man to deal with, which resulted in them moving out as soon as they could. After their lease ended, they asked the landlord for the $2000 security deposit back, but he claimed that he didn't know where the check was, since his wife was the one who handled it.

While the tenants can be sympathetic to someone who lost their loved one, they don't think it's fair that he is using that as an excuse not to give them their deposit back, and luckily, they have receipts. However, even after they showed him the documentation, he still claimed that the money should be his and refused to pay it back. And that is when the tenants realized that they had to fight back. This man is clearly using the situation for his own benefit, and they have enough proof to ensure he won't get away with it.

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  • A stern elderly man, the landlord, standing indoors, represented by a model,
    via Vitaly Gariev

    A stern elderly man, the landlord, standing indoors, represented by a model,

  • WIBTAH if I sue my landlord for fraud out of spite

    My wife (25F) and I (24M) rented an attic apartment in NJ. The landlord's wife handled all the paperwork and receipts, while he handled maintenance. She passed away about 9 months into our lease.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • We felt bad for him, checked in on him, invited him to dinner, and tried to support him as he adjusted to being a widower.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • Over time, though, his behavior got strange. One example, he took my bike without permission to "teach me a lesson" about leaving it outside, then called me pretending it had been stolen before revealing he had it.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • That was my last straw, so I gave him more than 30 days' notice and moved out. We cleaned thoroughly and left the apartment in good condition.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • When I asked about our $2,100 security deposit, he claimed he couldn't find any paperwork because his wife handled it all.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • After digging through our records, we found receipts proving we paid it. Once I showed him the documentation, he spent 15 minutes telling me I was young and naive and should trust his word.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • When I said I was prepared to report the issue, he handed me an itemized damage bill totaling $2175 conveniently $75 more than our deposit. He says," looks like you owe ME"
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • An elderly man, the landlord, looking at a bank check, represented by a model.
    via Getty Images

    An elderly man, the landlord, looking at a bank check, represented by a model.

  • The charges included hundreds of dollars for cleaning, paint touchups, patching holes, etc. We have move-out photos showing the apartment was left in good shape, and the phone number on the invoice is out of service.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • I have receipts, photos, and documentation. He says he knows the courts well and they'll side with him.
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • Part of me is furious because this feels dishonest. Another part of me feels guilty because his wife passed away and I genuinely think grief may have affected him. AITA if I pursue this in court?
    via Thatisembarrasing
  • Otaku-San617 Of course you should sue. He's ripping you off and it's not a few $ it's $2100 dollars.
    via Otaku-San617
  • MyAccountWasBanned7 ΝΤΑ You aren't suing him out of spite, you are suing him because he ripped you off for A LOT of money.
    via MyAccountWasBanned7
  • Imaginary_Section24 NTA. If there are no damages then there aren't damages to charge you far. It isn't out of spite when there are clear damages. Just up to you if court costs and your time is worth it
    via Imaginary_Section24
  • green1s I think you're confusing "out of spite" with "for justice." NTA
    via green1s
  • BenevolentDictator74 It won't be $2100. It's usually around $300 to file in small claims court. When you win, he will have to pay what he owes you plus court costs, attorney
    via BenevolentDictator74
  • fees and any damages YOU claim. My guess is having a strongly worded demand letter send from an attorney's office will change his tune. Stand in business. This guys trying to w you over. Old ppl can be SQ 'es too.
    via BenevolentDictator74

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sue landlord court tenant wife husband renting money entitled people security deposit apartment
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