JatWarrior Vs Apartment Management
Background: I moved out of my old apartment in September last year. Apartment was clean and in good condition when I left, and I was expecting to get my full security deposit back. What happened instead is a story of frustration. A month after I had vacated the apartment and a month of no communication, I started making attempts to get an answer from them. And boy, was it tough? I called them numerous times, visited their office atleast 4 times - their property manager was always out and never responded to my notes and voicemails. After another two months, I finally get hold of her and what answer do I get??? "You ruined the carpet, so we will send you $40 back." {in a very rude tone} wtf! Carpet was in very good condition when I left and you take three months to tell me this crap? Needless to say, I never got even those 40 bucks.
I considered my money lost and tried not to think about it, until a few months later when I stumbled upon an apartment review website. There were posts from other people who had had similar experiences with them and someone had suggested to call the state Attorney General. I called the Attorney General and she explained me the Delaware Rental Act. Apartment management, by law, must send an itemized bill of damages and settle the security deposit within 20 days of tenant vacating the apartment. And if management does not do that, tenant is entitled to get double the security deposit. 20 days!! Forget 20 days, I got no s*** from them at any point of time.
Current situation: I sued the apartment management last month and yesterday was my first hearing (my first experience with any court in the world). I reached the court yesterday morning only to find that defendants were missing. Although their lawyers had requested a continuance of trial citing some schedule conflict, judge did not grant it. Well, they had no case anyway, so probably they let it pass. So I presented my case to the judge and he issued a default judgment in my favor. Unless defendants enter a motion against the judgment, I am getting double the security deposit back :) FINALLY!
Moral of the story: Be aware and know your rights. Don't be ignorant and let vampires out there suck your blood.
I considered my money lost and tried not to think about it, until a few months later when I stumbled upon an apartment review website. There were posts from other people who had had similar experiences with them and someone had suggested to call the state Attorney General. I called the Attorney General and she explained me the Delaware Rental Act. Apartment management, by law, must send an itemized bill of damages and settle the security deposit within 20 days of tenant vacating the apartment. And if management does not do that, tenant is entitled to get double the security deposit. 20 days!! Forget 20 days, I got no s*** from them at any point of time.
Current situation: I sued the apartment management last month and yesterday was my first hearing (my first experience with any court in the world). I reached the court yesterday morning only to find that defendants were missing. Although their lawyers had requested a continuance of trial citing some schedule conflict, judge did not grant it. Well, they had no case anyway, so probably they let it pass. So I presented my case to the judge and he issued a default judgment in my favor. Unless defendants enter a motion against the judgment, I am getting double the security deposit back :) FINALLY!
Moral of the story: Be aware and know your rights. Don't be ignorant and let vampires out there suck your blood.
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