All Forum Posts by: Axel Scaggs

 He wrote the lease himself. As far as the specified penalty it states that if any provision of the lease is violated, in this case early termination, the security deposit is forfeited. That page of the lease is what he sent me as my itemized list after move out as well. I looked over the entire lease and the written notice of intent to move requirement was not underlined or bold either by the way. I sent a request for return of security deposit with a forwarding address a few months ago. He is now refusing all certified mail. 

I signed a one year lease and moved out one month early. I asked the landlord if it would be OK and he said it was fine. I found him tenants with good credit before the end of the month. Steam cleaned the carpets, etc, and he determined there was no damage. New tenants moved in 8 days before the month I paid was up and signed a new year lease with a new deposit. I requested via certified mail that my security deposit be returned, but he said that it was forfeited due to a clause in the lease that said it was forfeited if any provision of the lease was violated, in this case not staying the final month. He sent me a letter stating the forfeiture for that reason as well and did not list any damage. He had no losses and lead me to believe I would get my deposit back initially. Should I take this to small claims court? I live in Texas.