Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Virginia

Re: Security deposit information

You are not renting from the Central Intelligence Agency, I hope. If not, the accurate information should be stamped on the back of your cancelled check.

Alternatively, your own bank should be able to tell you.

The problem is that you won't know if, in the future, they change banks and/or bank accounts. Nevertheless, you are entitled to the return of your security deposit when you move out, provided there are no damages other than ordinary wear and tear at your departure time.

Some landlords unfortunately seem to think security deposits are a fund they can eventually claim as their own, justifiably or not. When you are ready to move, do your own walk through after the furniture is moved out but before the landlord's walk through. Videotape EVERYTHING without comment so you will have as near incontrovertible evidence as possible in the event you have to wrangle with them in court for your security deposit.

Interestingly, the first client I ever had after graduating law school was myself. My landlord tried that same baloney with me. I looked up the security deposit statute and sent a copy to the landlord. They sent me my security deposit almost immediately.

Remember the old saw about a client who represents himself having "a fool for a client". Well, that's yet another legal myth smashed to smithereens.