Boyfriend broke his lease early (and paid a $450 early termination fee, to be deducted from his security deposit), gave 30 days written notice to Landlord. Vacated apartment on April 20; walk-thru conducted with Leasing Agent on April 21. Because he left the apartment in such pristine condition, Leasing Agent actually asked him if he ever lived in the apartment.
She told him that his security deposit, less the $450 early termination fee, would be returned in 2 weeks.
He paid May's rent before it was due on the 1st of the month, and one week later, he called to inquire as to whether the apartment had been re-rented, as he was still responsible for the rent until the end of the term (June 30th). Leasing Agent advised him that new tenants were moving in on May 3rd. She further advised him that the balance of the security deposit, and the pro-rated rent refund (28 days in May) would be send in one lump payment, and he should receive it in 30 days.
Thirty days go by, and no check. He called the Leasing Office twice, and didn't receive a return call. An email he sent on May 23rd was answered on May 27th, advising him, "It usually takes 30 days from the walk-through when done at the end of the month. Since all our leases end the last day of the month, you should expect your check nearer to the end of May."
According to NJ law, a landlord must return a security deposit, less any amount due for damages or unpaid rent or other legitimate deductions within 30 days of a tenant moving out, even if the tenant moves out before the lease term is up.
When contacted by phone about the return of the security deposit, the Leasing Agent was very abupt; when confronted about the fact that their schedule of returning security deposits did not conform to NJ law, she became even more abrupt and said the check would be in the mail on May 30th.
Appalling that a large corporation can be allowed to interpret NJ law as they see fit, with no repercussions. Obviously by the time a complaint gets filed with NJ Superior Court, the check will have arrived, but just really fires us up to think that they can get away with stuff like this.
0 comments