Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Security deposit for commercial building

hi, i leased a little cafe in a commercial building and sold my lease to a new tenant..my security deposit was $4,550..i was there for approx. 16 months with no problems..they now want to keep $1,000 stating that $500 is assignment fee (which i guess i would be okay with) but $500 for ''resonable legal fees''..i can't imagine why there would be since as far as i know there was no legal thing involved shouldn't they have to provide some sort of proof of this fee?..also if i am responsible for this my last and most inportant question is about them paying me interest on my deposit..isn't there a law stating i should be receiving interest on my deposit..i'm in los angeles ca...any help would be greatly appreciated.


Asked on 5/08/07, 8:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

Re: Security deposit for commercial building

Hi. Unclear as to some facts. Need to know if the tenant you "sold" to became your sub-tenant, or if he (or she) replaced you on the lease (in writing). No such thing as assignment fees or reasonable legal fees, if we are talking about your landlord, but that would depend on whether there are provisions in the lease. Bad news about the interest. San Francisco requires interest, but, as far as I know, nowhere else in California (it isn't mentioned in the basic landlord-tenant law). If I can help more, and you provide me with a few more facts, I can give you more advice. If the lease is up, and landlord is holding your money, he must return it in three weeks, after deductions for unpaid rent, and damages you, or your "guests" in the cafe caused, and landlord is responsible for ordinary wear and tear. E-mail me, or call me if you have further questions. Good luck.

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Answered on 5/08/07, 8:43 pm


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