What are my rights with respect to the return of my security deposit?
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What are my rights with respect to the return of my security deposit?
My husband and I recently moved out of a duplex we had rented. We did a final walk-through and everything was in order and the landlord was satisfied. She said legally she had 20 days to send us the security deposit check. We put down a $800 security deposit which was all to be refunded to us. Now almost 3 months later we still haven’t received a check. I am calling nearly every day now, but she never answers her phone, and is not returning our messages. I don’t know what to do and certainly am not going to let $800 go.
Asked on April 14, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
And I agree with you 100%. I am hoping that you had her sign something regrding the final walk through and that you took pictures. You are going to have to sue her in small claims court for the retur of the funds. Under the law in your
state the landlord must make the refund within 21 days after the day the tenancy ends. The tenant must give the landlord a forwarding
address. If the landlord does not return the security deposit in the time allowed, the landlord must pay the tenant an amount equal to two
times the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus interest. I am going to give you a link to the court system in your state and a
further explanation. Good luck.
http://www.mncourts.gov/district/2/?page=1114
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