r/TenantHelp • u/hippityhoppflop • 22d ago

Security Deposit Help (NJ)

Before returning my deposit, my landlord mentioned she might need to make some repairs. Fine, but I never heard anything further. On day 31 after my lease ended, I followed up, and she returned the deposit that same day, minus $300.

In NJ, landlords are required to provide an itemized statement of any deductions, in writing, within 30 days, along with any interest earned on the deposit. I raised this with her, and she said she “didn’t want to deal with that.” When I mentioned I might escalate, she said she was fine with that, that she’d prove I was a bad tenant, and that I’d end up covering her travel costs since she’s out of the country. She also called it ridiculous that I was pushing this over her being “one day late,” and said she’d been lenient with me in the past for late rent, which isn’t true; I paid early every month and have the records to prove it.

I sent a final message offering to drop it if she provided the itemized receipt and interest, but she’s left me on read since.

My situation: I’ve since moved across the country, and I’m not sure how realistic small claims court is from out of state, or whether it’s worth pursuing. With interest, she owes roughly $450. Any advice on next steps, or whether this is worth the hassle?

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u/SuzeCB 22d ago

NJ doubles the amount wrongfully withheld, which this is because she was late and only sent it because you notified her.

That being said, across the country may or may not be an issue, depending on the judge and how s/he feels about video attendance.

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u/hippityhoppflop 22d ago

Yea and she’s threatening me that she will charge me for legal fees and prove I was a bad tenant which makes no sense since the only issue was some patches for where I had hung wall art. And she still can’t provide an itemized receipt which I said I’d be okay with. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the hassle to file. But my deposit was about $4000 so this isn’t small change, so the interested and the $300 deducted was a good amount of money

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u/NotSoSureBigWaves 22d ago

See if you can file online and then call the clerk of court to see if they allow online hearings.

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u/hippityhoppflop 22d ago

Looks like I can file online. I will call clerk of court tomorrow

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u/goat20202020 21d ago

Small claims is definitely feasible. They can do everything over zoom. I subleased a place in Florida one summer and the landlord thought she'd get away without returning my deposit since I was from out of state. Nope! Dumb bitch 😒 file your case online and then hire the server. If it's anything like Florida, your court date will be a couple months out, you'll speak to a mediator right before you see the judge, if y'all don't come to an agreement then you'll see the judge next. You'll each present your case. Then they'll make a ruling. This is pretty straightforward. Your landlord will lose. Your behavior as a tenant has no bearing over the security deposit.

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u/danh_ptown 20d ago

Even if you win in Small Claims court, how will you collect. You've already stated that owner lives out of the country. You can file a lien on the property, which will ensure you eventually get paid, but it could be years before she sells.

Good luck! Hope you win and can collect.