I don't know if any of you turds remember my previous thread (I deleted it according to our then legal strategy) but my landlords "decided" they would take and keep my security deposit after moving out of our previous rental. They gave us a list of reasons they were keeping the deposit, but failed to abide by our state law that says they must provide an itemized list and sign it under penalty of perjury. Their reasons were bull****, including refinishing the entire floor, and replacing the entire countertop for a pair of stains, and replacing blinds that they didn't actually replace.
Anyways, we contacted a lawyer and he said to wait the period of time they are given by law to comply with it, and then send them a letter demanding our money back. If they don't comply with the law (they didnt') we can sue them for 3 times the deposit, and they can't argue that we caused damage (yay).
Anyways, we sent the letter, and they responded this week and offered to meet in person to discuss coming to an agreement. What should I expect when we meet with them? I believe the law is on our side, but I've never been to small claims court, and our lawyer told us that it's likely not going to be 0%/100%, but rather some sort of negotiation and I may not get what I'm expecting. All I really want is my deposit back plus interest, less reasonable deductions for damage we actually caused (even though they put us through all the crap, I really just want to be done with it.). What should I be prepared for? What could they pull that might catch us off guard? I don't know whether they're bringing a lawyer, but we aren't, and we'll walk away if they try to bring one. Can I say anything that might get me in trouble, or indict me for damage or violations that we didn't cause?
Sorry to write the essay, but I'm normally pretty trusting of people's good nature, and it sucks that they tried to take advantage of us. I'm hoping we can put this matter to bed, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by demanding one thing or acting in a manner that I think is reasonable, but might be legally incorrect.
Anyways, we contacted a lawyer and he said to wait the period of time they are given by law to comply with it, and then send them a letter demanding our money back. If they don't comply with the law (they didnt') we can sue them for 3 times the deposit, and they can't argue that we caused damage (yay).
Anyways, we sent the letter, and they responded this week and offered to meet in person to discuss coming to an agreement. What should I expect when we meet with them? I believe the law is on our side, but I've never been to small claims court, and our lawyer told us that it's likely not going to be 0%/100%, but rather some sort of negotiation and I may not get what I'm expecting. All I really want is my deposit back plus interest, less reasonable deductions for damage we actually caused (even though they put us through all the crap, I really just want to be done with it.). What should I be prepared for? What could they pull that might catch us off guard? I don't know whether they're bringing a lawyer, but we aren't, and we'll walk away if they try to bring one. Can I say anything that might get me in trouble, or indict me for damage or violations that we didn't cause?
Sorry to write the essay, but I'm normally pretty trusting of people's good nature, and it sucks that they tried to take advantage of us. I'm hoping we can put this matter to bed, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by demanding one thing or acting in a manner that I think is reasonable, but might be legally incorrect.