Finally got my security deposit back after a 2 month fight

Landlord tried to keep $1200 for 'damage' that was just normal wear and tear from my 3 years in that apartment on Jasper Ave. Had to send them a copy of the Residential Tenancies Act before they backed down - anyone else deal with shady deposit deductions here?

2 comments

2 Comments

loganburns29d ago

Honestly, I used to be one of those people who'd just pay whatever the landlord asked because I figured it was easier than fighting. But then I had a buddy who lost $800 to a landlord for 'cleaning fees' and I looked into it myself. That's when I realized most of these deductions are just landlords trying to see what they can get away with. Residential tenancy laws across Canada are actually pretty clear about normal wear and tear, but landlords bank on tenants not knowing their rights. Took me a full day to write the email with the laws highlighted, but it saved me $600 in the end. Your mileage may vary of course, but I'd say anyone who's getting jerked around should at least look up their local rules before just accepting it.

taraw1628d ago

Yeah, the whole "they bank on you not knowing your rights" thing is so true. I had a friend who moved out of a place near Whyte Ave and the landlord tried to keep her whole deposit for "painting costs" because she'd had a couple posters on the wall with command strips. She almost just let it go because she was too stressed to deal with it, but I pushed her to look up the Alberta tenancy laws. When she sent an email with the specific section about normal wear and tear highlighted, the landlord backed off so fast it was almost funny. She got her full $800 back like a week later. It's wild how many landlords just try to see what they can get away with until you actually call them on it.