Landlords Misusing Tenant’s Security Deposit Money

Security Deposits: An Overview Most people are familiar with the concept of a security deposit. Landlords typically request these deposits as collateral against the risk that tenants will cause damage. This makes a lot of sense. If a tenant moves in and trashes the property, the landlord can lawfully withhold their security deposit to make repairs. What if the tenant skips town without paying their last month's rent? The landlord can withhold the deposit for that as well. But what if the landlord is withholding the entire deposit and charging more on top of that for no reason? What if, once the...