Hi All:
I am writing see does anyone has experience with this problem. I recently moved out of an apartment in Brooklyn before the lease ends due to change in job location. The landlord lives downstairs and there are 6 other units in the building. I worked with the landlord, found him a tenant replacement to take over my lease, left the apartment as I have moved in (I took photos before I moved) and gave the keys to the new tenant. The landlord thanked me for all my effort and told me he will send me back the security deposit in 2-3 weeks.
I received the security deposit today with around a $900 dollar deduction; enclosed is a letter saying "Please note that upon your department locks have to be changed". The landlord charged me $900 to change the lock for the outer and inner front entrance doors (both magnetic lock), the mailbox, and the lock of my previous apartment. I did not break any of those locks but I did not take photo of the front door and mailbox before I moved out as evidence.
I am currently reading through my rights and I don't believe it is my responsibilities to pay for the lock changes especially I did not break any of them. I am definitely going to fight him for the money back, so I am wondering have any one came across similar situation and have any insights.
Thanks for reading.