Landlord reneged on lease breakage terms!

[bigman525]

Hi all,

I recently broke a lease, and the landlord agreed to terminate with no penalty other than keeping that month's already paid rent. In a letter, he stated that the security deposit would be returned in full.

A month later, no check in hand yet, with us moved out, he sent a letter stating that he was not returning any of the security deposit because I broke the lease. Even though I have signed paperwork stating othewise. The amount of the security deposit is in excess of $10k (2 months rent).

I think he's playing a game... I can go to small claims, but then am capped at $5k or I can hire a lawyer (expensive). What are my real options here? I also found a rent security complaint form from the AG office, but not sure how effective that would be. Am I really going to have to get legal representation to get my money back?

Thanks!

[TenantNet]

As you say, Small Claims is capped.

Try the Attorney General's office.

Also Civil Court is a possibility (lawyer recommended, but not required).

BTW, you registered two accounts to this board. We deleted the first account. See the Forum Rules.

[bigman525]

I thought I had another account but couldn't get into it. Will remember this one going forward...

Thanks for the advice. So, it seems like they're basically trying to screw me, knowing that i'm either capped on recovery or need to spend a lot of fees to get full recovery, huh?