About an hour ago as Ralph and I were out doing late-night errands (Home Depot, Safeway), I got some yucky news. Most smarties who rent their homes (like we do) benefit by saying adios to the paid deposit – right off the bat. And I knew this. But I am discouraged as after meeting the ex-landlord two weeks ago, he told us that if we fixed X and Y he’d refund us the entirety of the deposit. And, I believed him. And, he was lying.
I am not surprised given the man’s past behaviors, but I am depressed. I don’t know what our hundreds of dollars mean to this ex-landlord, but to me I’d hoped for groceries. A few days ago Ralph gave me a certain sum of cash for me to secure so I could buy provisions for our son’s birthday party. I’m glad I at least was able to buy a few party things so that is going to happen, no matter what.
I don’t want to hold anger in my heart. I know that the misbehaviors and the perpetrations of others are not things I have any control over. It’s telling I have to keep reminding myself of this. I do not want to fight with anyone, nor hold any resentments. They are anathema to the gratitude I want to experience, and in turn practice. I feel sad to think of how hard my husband worked cleaning the house and repairing it and setting it to rights. I feel foolish I believed this landlord at his word, since I’d had previous experience with him. But then, I reconsider. I know Ralph and I know he did the work because it was the right thing to do. I know that doing the right thing benefits the one who does it. I know that I have no control over who wants to mislead or betray me, however symptomatic these slights are of his character or behaviors.
This financial setback came at a time of stress and sadness, all around me. I have family sick and struggling with illness, a friend’s daughter just lost a baby, another friend’s husband’s hand was crushed in a horrible work accident, a friend’s father-in-law recently died, and I’ve run across two friends in Recovery, in active relapse.
But, this is life. As for us, I know we will figure out how to buy food and presents and pay our bills, as we’ve done for the past ten plus years as a family. What I’d like is peace of mind. It will come, with time.
This may or may not help. Check out the section regarding deposits. It sounds like the landlord should have at least provided an itemized receipt. The document isn’t exactly official, but seems like a good place to start.
http://housing.asuw.org/resources/pdf/WashLandlordTenantAct.pdf
@Kidsync
Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, I know the feller is outside the law on this issue. But I’m not going to spend any time with him arguing. Learned that from past experiences!
That just sucks, Kelly. Dan and I have had that experience several times in the past, and it always stings. Good job being a good person. At least you can sleep at night knowing you and Ralph did the right thing.
Damn – I hate jerk landlords! I don’t know what the law is in WA, but in the states where I’ve rented before, the landlord is required to put the deposit in an interest-bearing account and you get the interest and the deposit back if everything is ok at the end. I’ve gone to small claims over it and won, but much of the time it’s not worth it in time, money and stress. I hope April brings at least a little bit of relief from the stress and illness for your family and those you know who are having a hard time right now.
BALLS, indeed. Not cool. Not cool at all, dude.