Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I recently replaced a tenant at this condo because she was returning to her country. I signed a house agreement with the other 2 roommates stating that I will have to pay a deposit of $700. The agreement states that "each roommate will receive his/her portion from the landlord at the end of tenancy". I paid the deposit to the girl that is leaving and she assigned her room to me. The 2 remaining roommates told me that I would only be getting $500 back from the landlord. I was overcharged and someone is keeping the extra $200. I wanted to ask whether I can still get the full $700 (minus damages and cleaning) back from the landlord based on the agreement I signed separately with those roommates? The landlord is only responsible for signing one big check at the end. I was initially charged a rent of $700 for my room which included utilities, but we have taken that off since the girl that isn't in charge of it isn't living there anymore. Now I only pay $500. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!


Asked on 2/14/12, 5:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

I do not understand why you are paying $200 per month less in rent, since I assume the landlord has not started paying it. Your problem is that you paid the other girl the $700 and not the landlord; if the landlord is holding $2,100 for the three of you, then the two other girls owe you $700 total. I just do not have enough facts to know what your remedy is.

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Answered on 2/15/12, 5:20 pm


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