Can my land lord keep my secerity deposit cause i stain the bathroom carpet?

Question

okay so i stain the carpet with moth wash and he told me that he have to change the carpet . i gave him when i first rent the house 500 $ nonrefundable carpet washing fee..i told him what about that he told me the spot is too dark and wont go ..also the frame of the living room door was lilbit scrashed cause of the sofas when they where enterd but the door was scrashed also before with his old talent and now he said that he find alot damage in the house that he is going to take all the deposit 3000 maybe more cause of the huge damage!!!!! oh and when i first move in there was a stain on the stairs he told me that one was from the washer and drayer and my 2 friend was there now he is telling me that i did it and have to pay for it ..he is going to put the house in market so he want it completly renwed on my expense plus he is very very rude man i cald him today and told him right me a list of what is your dislikes and im gonna repair them he refused ..please reply as soon as u can than

Answer 1

Yes, he can.  Any damage that was already in the building should have been documented in writing and with photos at the time you rented, with both you and the owner signing the papers.  Without this documentation, he can and will keep your deposit.

Answer 2

This may sound like a civil suit.

1) Landlord is only able to keep the money that it would take to replace those damages and I doubt that it will take 3000

2) You have a witness that was there when he told you about the spots from the washer and dryer.

Before you talk to him again call a carpenter and ask for a quote on how much those damages are and if they are nowhere near the 3000 call the landlord and tell him how much the damages are. also read your agreement very carefully.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Get a lawyer ASAP, or if not a lawyer someone who you trust who knows what they are talking about and is confident. It sounds to me like he is trying to bully you. If you bring in a third party he may realize he can't pull this on you. Yes, if there are damages to the house he can take them out of the deposit, but make sure you are keeping track of what damages were already there and how much it will cost to replace or fix anything you did do. Do not go along with whatever he says. Please talk to a lawyer or have someone else talk to this guy before it goes any further. And find another place! This does not sound like a guy you want to have to answer to.