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2 years ago

refund of security deposit

2 years ago
How does one handle a landlady who is dragging her feet on returning a security deposit? have been waiting 4 months for my security deposit. Is it normal to be kept waiting for so long ~ especially when I didn't damage the floors, walls and appliances? I only lived in the apartment for 3 months, the maximum amount of time she would agree to. I showed up at the lease signing expecting to sign a lease for 12 months but after I arrived, the landlady refused to give me a longer lease because "I have never rented to a foreigner who doesn't speak Portuguese". I had paid a non-refundable deposit to the realtor so I was stuck otherwise I would have gotten up from the table and walked away.I took photos of the damage (scratches on the floor; marks on the walls) that was already in the apartment as soon as I moved in. The landlady had painted the surface next to the kitchen sink so when I washed dishes, water splashed onto the surface and the paint peeled off in 4 small spaces. It was the only 'damage' done by me. I reminded the realtor and her 2 months ago and she still has made no effort to refund my money. Should I ask my lawyer to intervene?

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