If my landlord sent letter 43 days after lawful vacancy for claims to the security deposit plus additional damages, is he too late?

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If my landlord sent letter 43 days after lawful vacancy for claims to the security deposit plus additional damages, is he too late?

Old residence was a single family home. We left lawfully and gave notice that we would be leaving in the middle of the month. Initially we paid $745 for a security deposit, and a $350 for a pet deposit. He is claiming now a $360 carpet cleaning fee (despite us having professionally cleaned the house on our own dime, and a stretch of carpet ruined due to leaking) and $848 in damages (many of which I would object too). He is not factoring the pet deposit, and he is asking for $463.25. Everything may be moot though, because he contacted us 43 days after our vacancy.

Asked on July 31, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Florida

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Just because the landlord was late in the return of your security deposit per statute does not make the late return invalid. If you contest the amount of what your received, you need to write the landlord setting forth the basis for what you believe is owed. If you do not get the response you want, small claims cour tis your option.


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