My landlady is demanding that I pay a security deposit after I've been here for 3 months. When I moved in the place was a mess that had been left by a previous tenant. There were piles of debris left all over the yard, an old shed that had fallen down in the back yard and bags of trash had been stuffed under the deck and crawl space of the house. I offered to clean up the mess for the landlady because I felt sorry for her. Now she is asking that I pay a $1200 security deposit because as she stated: "I never asked for a security deposit from any of my tenants until after Mr. T***** left me high and dry for damages and back rent. I asked her to give me some credit for cleaning up his mess and hauling most of the trash to the dump. She refused, telling me that she was going to start charging me $150 extra a month until the security was paid. I mentioned the mess I cleaned up for her and she told me that if she could've afforded to clean the place up, she would've had someone do it. I don't have a problem cleaning up....and I did it for nothing because I can't stand a mess anywhere....but I don't feel it's right for her to make me send her more money because of someone else. The rent is $1100 a month, and she wants more than that for a security. She also expects me to pay to have the septic tank pumped, or pay an extra amount every month for her to have it pumped.
Is any of this legal? How do I go back to her and let her know this? I'm a tenant at will, so I'm afraid she could raise the rent or terminate my tenancy. What can I do next? HELP!!!
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Editor's Response
She can end your current tenancy with proper notice and then ask you to sign a new TAW agreement with the security deposit in place. She cannot charge more than one months rent as a deposit. Also, she cannot charge you a fee for pumping the tank. Although, she could simply increase the rent to pay for the pumping. If I were you, I would decide if I wanted to stay int he unit with that landlord. If you do, you will have to work with her. Good luck.