What are my rights with a security deposit for an apartment?

[Anonymous]

A roommate and I got this apartment about a year ago, since then we have moved out. I found an old email and it made me curious if I would be eligible to get a security deposit back. Her dad co signed, but we both still on our own paid for the security deposit. This place was fishy from the start. They false advertised saying it was luxury apartments. (This is in Connecticut by the way). The rent was like $1900 plus other fees for 2 bed 2 bath. The first red flag we didn’t see was they forced us to sign a literal 50 paged lease on our phones in the lobby and refused to let us see the apartment until it was signed. We sign it, then they bring us up and hand us the keys and leave. The place looked like it hasn’t been cleaned or dusted in 40 years. Everything was run down. Mold everywhere. We discovered everything was run down or broken. I had so many problems with my toilet that got ignored. We discovered underneath our living room had huge holes in the garage area. They never fixed that until we moved out. I then got a health inspector to come check out the apartment and even she was saying we need to get reduced rent for the condition. Every time I went to the leasing office about these concerns, there was a different manager there every day claiming they’re only temporary and are from a different state and can’t help. I understand once you sign a lease you’re screwed. However, due to these horrible conditions, the price then kept getting higher each month without notice. They sent us almost $1000 in a water bill each month and we found out they were dividing everyone’s water usage in the building instead of charging for our own unit usage. My roommate got so fed up I got home from work one day and she was moved out and left me with all the bills then I got an eviction notice on the door bc she didn’t pay her half. Just called the complex they said I would have to take this up with collections. I was scammed and am wondering what I should take with this.

[shortster]

It is best to never sign a lease agreement without seeing the apartment. Or reading the whole thing. If they refuse is when you say goodbye. Also it is best when you are first entering an apartment to take pictures of any problems. And when you move out to take pictures of how you leave it. As your security deposit is typically used to fix any problems you caused. So if you document both conditions you can argue for more of your deposit back. It sounds like you were the resident of a slum lord. However, how do use enough water to have a $1000 water bill? I had a leaking toilet that I didn't realize until I got the water bill and it was only a $200 water bill.

[Asker]

So I do still have pictures of the first day and the last. I also have emails of us constantly complaining. Nothing was done. I do have paper trail with that. But yeah the water bill made no sense. But the building was huge so there has to be at least 200+ units so our neighbors that moved out told us they took the entire buildings water usage and divided it and sent a bill. That sounds so illegal. We barely used lights I had a lamp, my light switch didn’t even work in my room. Eversource charged me like 2k a month. We barely had lights on. So it just made no sense.

[Asker]

Also when we went to the court due to the eviction, literally everyone and their mother was being evicted or suing this complex. There were like over 100 people there for the same reason.

[shortster]

Sounds like you could easily do a class action lawsuit against them.

[Asker]

I’m bad with court stuff so I don’t even know the first thing about that but it was really bad. I’m thinking about it because I have proof I spoke with and met up with a health inspector to even check it out she said it was awful, the town had a whole meeting contemplating suing the complex due to its poor condition…so it’s kind of obvious and out there that the reputation isn’t good. The town had to have a meeting about this place lol

[shortster]

I am sure one of your neighbors is better with court stuff and having a class action you don't have to be the front person with the lawyers.

[DryGermanGuy]

First, demand what’s rightfully yours by registered mail. Then small claims court at the very least, including the water fee scam. You should also write about them online. If you get enough feedback from other ex-tenants, go for a class-action lawsuit.
Remember, these bastards just can operate like that because people roll on their backs and take it! 🤬

[Redstang88]

Why in the hell would you sign a lease without seeing the place? I’m assuming the deposit was only 1/2 month rent (law in most places), so I’d say just cut your losses and let it go
If they try to come after the u paid rent sounds like you’ve got plenty of documentation to fight back and more, but lawyers are expensive and civil court such a pain in the ass relative to your odds of actually collecting any money from them I wouldn’t start it

[KrakenAttackin]

You need first read your lease and second, talk with an attorney. Maybe run this past the gag member olderandwiser who is an attorney.

[Asker]

Well I don’t live there anymore. It’s been over a year. I just saw an email that popped up from them and it reminded me. We did go to court about the eviction. However, the property was never damaged. I understand we “owed” them rent but I thought it was ok to refuse rent until the damages are fixed. Maybe I’m wrong but I also thought a security deposit was strictly for damages. I don't know if it’s even worth getting an attorney over but the security deposit was pretty hefty so I kinda want my money back for being scammed lol

[KrakenAttackin]

Asker... A shitty situation and they are in the wrong. You might just chalk it up to a crappy lesson learned and be more careful moving forward. Sorry this happens to you.

[In_Trance]

Read the fine print of your lease agreement

[laly520]

get a lawyer