All Forum Posts by: Robyn Joy

As a tenant and someone looking into having investment properties down the line, I have a particular situation I need advice on.

I was renting a flat in LA with a friend, both our names were on the lease. She planned to move out when the lease was up, as did I. A week before we were meant to give notice to the landlord, she changed her mind and decided she wanted her boyfriend to move in with her.

The landlord told me that since the unit would not be fully vacated, despite him making her and her boyfriend sign an entirely new lease and pay him a large deposit (partially due to him being a British citizen, supposedly), that I would have to recoup my deposit directly from her. She agreed to this, but did exactly what I expected, which has been dodging me since April. 

My question is, is the landlord in the right to force me to recoup my deposit from the other tenants, even after making them sign a new lease and pay him a deposit? My legal obligation was up, and yet I'm stuck trying to get money from someone and I'm unsure of my legal rights to pursue them.

California law says a landlord has 21 days to pay back a deposit minus itemized cleaning/repair fees otherwise they may be subject to twice the amount of the security deposit in statutory damages in addition to actual damages. Would this apply to recouping from the roommate and her boyfriend?

I'm afraid of running out of time due to any statute of limitations on taking this to court, which I really do not want to have to do.

ADVICE BADLY NEEDED! 

I'm a newbie currently living in downtown Los Angeles. I'm originally from Annapolis, MD and have lived all over the place including London, so I'm no stranger to astronomical housing prices, but it's certainly daunting to be starting out in real estate in this market!

I'm looking into 'house hacking' a duplex by investing with family as well as wholesaling while I'm studying for my real estate license. Flipping distressed houses is my dream career, it just so happens you can make good money at it, so I'm excited to finally be going down the real estate path. 

This community seems like an incredible resource for information and to meet people with common interests, some have already reached out to say hello and it's great to make positive connections!

Here's to loving what you do, nice to meet you all! :)

Robyn