A young couple settled into a budget basement rental near their new jobs, dealing with street parking headaches that brought tickets and a hit-and-run. When they asked the landlord for better options, she casually emailed them to park anywhere they wanted, so they followed suit and used the front yard just like the upstairs neighbors.
At lease end, they handed back a cleaner space than they received and requested their full $1,500 security deposit. Weeks later came a partial $700 check, with the rest sliced off to “re-sod the lawn”, despite the yard already being mostly weeds and bare patches. The landlord, eyeing a house sale, apparently hoped the tenants would cover her landscaping upgrade.
A Redditor successfully sued landlord in small claims court and won back full security deposit.
The landlord tried to spin routine parking into major lawn damage, deducting over half the deposit without solid proof. The OP’s side? They followed instructions, documented everything, and turned the landlord’s own email into slam-dunk evidence.
From the other angle, landlords often face real wear-and-tear costs or sneaky damage, and security deposits exist to cover legitimate repairs beyond normal use, like fixing big ruts or replacing ruined sod.
But here, the yard was already a mess, and the “damage” was minor at best. The landlord’s refusal to budge even in mediation suggests overconfidence or perhaps hoping young tenants would just let it go.
Broadening out, security deposit headaches are a widespread issue in renting. According to a Porch survey of landlords, they hold back an average of 36.1% of deposits collected, often for reasons ranging from cleaning to repairs, though many cases involve gray areas like normal wear versus damage. Tenants frequently feel shortchanged, especially without strong documentation.
Expert advice underscores preparation as key. As attorney Ann O’Connell explains, “A landlord has the right to use a tenant’s security deposit to cover unpaid rent and the cost of repairing any damage to the rental.” She stresses that deductions must be for actual damage, not routine upkeep, and tenants should document conditions with photos and checklists from move-in.
In disputes, thorough evidence often tips the scales in small claims court, where judges prioritize facts over assumptions. Neutral solutions? Always get permissions in writing, snap before-and-after pics, know your local laws and don’t hesitate to seek mediation or court if talks stall. It levels the playing field and often encourages fair play.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Some people share successfully fighting landlords stories over withheld security deposits by using evidence.
Some people share stories of using documentation, receipts, or legal violations to counter landlords’ improper deposit deductions or charges.
Others recount standing up to landlords by enforcing tenant rights.
Some express frustration that landlords treat deposits as bonuses and rely on tenants’ laziness or lack of evidence to keep money unjustly.
Others note minor or petty deductions from deposits that highlight landlord overreach.
Some point out how landlords’ poor communication or arrogance led to their own losses.
Do you think the Redditor played it perfectly by going full prep-mode for court, or was the landlord’s bluff just too obvious? Have you ever had to fight for your deposit, or been tempted to let it slide? How far would you go to get back what’s yours? Drop your thoughts below!
