Full question:
My friend who was staying in a rented house in Grand Rapids, Michigan has moved out after the lease term. She wants to get her security deposit back. But, the landlord says he is entitled to keep to himself a portion of the deposit stating that her pet has damaged the carpet. Can the landlord refuse to return the security deposit?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Security Deposit
- Date:
- State: Michigan
Answer:
The security deposit is your friend's money, and she is generally entitled to its return at the end of the lease. However, the landlord may retain part of the deposit for unpaid rent, unpaid utility bills, or actual damages beyond normal wear and tear (MCL 554.607).
If the landlord claims that your friend's pet damaged the carpet, he must provide an itemized list of the damages and the estimated repair costs within 30 days of the lease termination (MCL 554.609). This notice must include the amount he intends to withhold and a statement that your friend must respond within seven days to avoid forfeiting her claim to those damages. This statement must be in 12-point boldface type, larger than the rest of the notice.
If your friend receives a notice of damages, she can dispute the amount within seven days by sending a detailed response by ordinary mail. If she and the landlord cannot agree on the damages, the landlord may seek a court's permission to keep the deposit. If the landlord fails to take this action, your friend may be entitled to recover double the deposit amount.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.