Four years ago, I signed a lease for an apartment in which I still reside. At the signing of the lease, I gave the landlord a check for the first months rent, last month's rent, and one month security deposit. Since then, the landlord and I have renewed the rental relationship every year, and the rent has increased somewhat, but I never send additional $ to cover the increase in last month rent or security deposit.
The landlord did not do the following:
1. Furnish me with a signed and dated receipt acknowledging the security deposit and last month's rent within 30 days of cashing my check.
2. Deposit the money into a separate interest bearing account and furnish me with the information regarding the location of the account and the interest paid within 30 days of cashing my check.
3. Pay me interest annually on the security deposit and last month's rent.
Do I have the right to demand immediate return of my security deposit, even though several years have elapsed? If so, how do I go about doing so? If I have to go to court, am I entitled to triple damages (of security deposit) ? If the landlord complies and returns the deposit promptly, does s/he avoid the triple damages? Do I also have the right to demand that the interest on BOTH the security deposit and last month's rent be returned to me? If so, how do I go about doing so?
Thanks
Editor's Response
The answers to most of your questions, including those in your prior posting, can be found in our Quick Information Library. Note, however, that the LL only has to pay interest on the Security Deposit if he/she held the deposit for a full year. Good luck