LL wrongfully withheld SD in Maryland

[jikebng39394]

Long story short: Signed 12 month lease, paid SD. After 12 months, lease went month to month. Stayed an additional 4 months, gave 45 days notice, moved out. Left place in good condition, carpets cleaned, etc etc. Rather than return SD, LL sent a bill for an additional $200. Not happy. Sent letter requesting return of SD. Ended up in court. Judge awarded the LL $200 of our deposit, ruled he return the rest (both our pictures and their "defensive" pictures showed just how clean and undamaged the house was) and basically chided LL for his unreasonable expectations and lack of understanding of what is "normal wear and tear."

My question is - while on the stand, the LL admitted to depositing our security deposit into his personal checking account instead of an interest bearing / escrow account. Why didn't this result in an automatic return of 100% of our deposit, or better yet, 3X the amount of the deposit?

 

[Gail in Georgia]

When you asked the judge this question, he/her answer was.....????

Gail

 

[jikebng39394]

When you asked the judge this question, he/her answer was.....????

Gail

Unfortunately, we didn't ask. We were nervous, never had been in this situation before, didn't bring it up and our lawyer didn't either. It wasn't until we were driving home and going over the day (my husband and I) with each other that we thought - now how come it wasn't an automatic "here's your 3X"

Thought maybe that wasn't standard or I misunderstood the law.

 

[Zigner]

Unfortunately, we didn't ask. We were nervous, never had been in this situation before, didn't bring it up and our lawyer didn't either. It wasn't until we were driving home and going over the day (my husband and I) with each other that we thought - now how come it wasn't an automatic "here's your 3X"

Thought maybe that wasn't standard or I misunderstood the law.

You have to ask for it.

 

[jikebng39394]

Guess it's too late to go back, eh? Hahaha..

thanks If he appeals, we'll ask for it.