Protecting Against Unwarranted Charges

Summary

To protect against unwarranted charges on your security deposit, document the condition of the apartment, request a walk-through inspection, and gather evidence such as witness statements. If disputes arise, consider seeking legal advice.

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Property managers for my apartment are trying to charge me for their mistake, and i need to know how to protect from unwarranted charges on my security deposit as I'm moving in Sept.
What state are you located in, ****? Laws regarding security deposits vary by state.
California
What specific charges are they trying to impose on you?

In California, landlords can only deduct from security deposits for:
- Unpaid rent
- Cleaning the rental unit
- Repairing damages beyond normal wear and tear
- If the lease allows, for the cost of restoring or replacing furniture.
No security deposit issues yet. Moving next month. What can i do to help protect against them fabricating cleaning or damage issues?
Have you documented the current condition of the apartment with photos or video? This could serve as evidence in case of any disputes.
I will do that. Anything else i should do?
Yes, you should also request a walk-through inspection with the property manager before moving out. This can help identify any potential issues.
Thank you, i will. Now, their mistake (that i mentioned earlier) is: They had my damaged car towed, without notice, from what they assumed was the landlords property, but i
Did you have any agreement with the property manager about parking your car on the property?
It wasnt their property, its an empty lot next-door that a neighbor owns. I was clearly past our property line and in the neighbors property
Did you have permission from the neighbor to park your car on their property?
No but the property manager doest know them. The neighbor moved from Vallejo * yrs ago and i cant find him.
Did you have any written agreement or any form of proof that you had permission to park your car on the neighbor's property?
No
Do you have any evidence to prove that the car was parked on the neighbor's property and not on the property managed by your property manager?
* witnesses, neighbors who saw it there.
Do you have any written statements from these witnesses confirming that your car was parked on the neighbor's property?
They've agreed to
That's great. Written statements from witnesses can be very helpful. Do you have any other questions or is there anything else you would like to discuss?
So what do I do? Doni take the statements to the property manager and tell him to remove charges? Do i threaten to call the landlord about it?
Before threatening to call the landlord, have you tried discussing the issue with the property manager and presenting your witnesses' statements?
Ive discussed it, he was unreasonable. Should i take the statements to him?
Yes, presenting the witness statements could strengthen your case. If he remains unreasonable, consider seeking legal advice.
Thanks for the help.
You're welcome, ****. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Remember, it's always a good idea to consult with a legal professional in complex situations.