I recently had to vacate my apartment, thus breaking the lease early and am now trying to have the landlord return my deposit. I began contacting them via certified return receipt mail (as per the terms of my lease) in February regarding a leak that escalated into an infestation of bugs and a horrible smell of excrement and chemicals. They did not contact me regarding the situation until 3/28 - with a phone call to inform me that they needed me to miss work so they could enter the apartment. I found this to be unsatisfactory as I had been trying to have this problem resolved for nearly 2 months and I had not been able to stay at the apartment for a month already. I informed them on 3/31 that I would no longer be paying rent to them due to their negligence. Upon speaking to them in their offices they informed me that they would be keeping my deposit because I was breaking the lease. My rent had never been late or incomplete. I was not a problem tenant. I realize that they may want to counter-sue me for the rest of the years rent (my lease would expire in July) but I also know that they will not be able to rent the apartment to anyone else until they take care of the smell.
Basically I want to know if I have grounds to take them to small claims court?
And, do you think it is worth it?
Thanks!
Basically I want to know if I have grounds to take them to small claims court?
And, do you think it is worth it?
Thanks!
