09-17-2009, 11:34 PM
C(-)ris wrote:
I believe the landlord would be in violation of state law. Deposits are to be held in a separate account and not used in the day to day operations of the business. They are only withdrawn from to pay for damages and to refund the renter. In some states interest from the deposit is also due. Both a criminal and civil suit could be filed against the landlord. I would nicely remind the landlord of these facts and ask for the deposit back.
correct. may vary state by state, but in Washington, it must be in an escrow account, and the landlord has 14 days from the last day of residency to refund the deposit, or give a full, in writing, accounting for any damages or deductions. In addition, if the landlord doesn't do a final walk through with the tennant, the landlord can't charge the tennant for any damages. If the landlord is over 14 days, for any reason, even if the check gets lost in the mail, the tennant gets it all back, even if they trashed the place.
Have the friend do a search for her cities tennant/landlord laws. Seattle specifically, and Washington State in general, has the toughest tennant landlord laws on the books, leaning towards the tennants.