In a tense courtroom case before Judge Judy, Ashley sued her former landlord for the return of her security deposit, but the landlord countered, claiming that Ashley still owed money for a water bill.
The dispute centered around whether the water bill should be deducted from Ashley’s security deposit and whether she was liable for the unpaid charges after moving out of the rental property.
Ashley, the plaintiff, explained that she had lived in the rental property for over a year and had paid all of her bills on time, including the water bill, during her tenancy.”I left the property in good condition, and I was expecting to get my full security deposit back,” she told Judge Judy. “But when I asked for it, my landlord said I owed money for a water bill that I didn’t even know about.”Ashley insisted that she had never received any notification of an outstanding water bill during her time at the property. “I always paid my bills on time, and I never saw any issues with the water bill,” she said. “I left the apartment clean and in good condition, and I’m entitled to my deposit back.”
The landlord, the defendant, presented her case, claiming that Ashley had left behind an unpaid water bill that had accumulated during the final months of her tenancy.
“She moved out without paying the water bill, and I had to cover it,” the landlord said. “I used her security deposit to pay the balance, as it was her responsibility to ensure the bill was paid before leaving.”
Judge Judy questioned the landlord about the water bill and whether Ashley had been properly notified of the charges. “Did you inform her about the outstanding water bill before she moved out?” she asked.
The landlord admitted that she had not sent Ashley any specific notice about the unpaid bill but claimed that it was outlined in the lease agreement that tenants were responsible for all utility bills.
Ashley denied ever seeing a notice regarding the water bill and pointed out that she was never given any indication that there were unpaid charges at the time of her move-out. “I left the apartment in good condition and made sure all my bills were paid before I left,” Ashley said. “I never got a bill for water, and I never knew I owed anything.”
After considering both sides, Judge Judy ruled in favor of Ashley, stating that the landlord had failed to provide sufficient proof that Ashley had been notified of the outstanding water bill.
“You cannot just take the money from the security deposit without clear communication and documentation,” Judge Judy said. “The tenant is entitled to their deposit unless there’s concrete evidence of damages or unpaid bills.”
Judge Judy ordered the landlord to return Ashley’s security deposit in full, noting that while tenants are responsible for utility payments, the landlord had not followed proper procedures in notifying Ashley about the water bill.
“If you’re going to deduct from a security deposit, you need to provide clear documentation and communication about what’s owed,” she said.
The ruling served as a reminder to landlords about the importance of proper communication with tenants, particularly when it comes to financial matters like utility bills.
Judge Judy emphasized the importance of providing proper notice and documentation to tenants before deducting amounts from their security deposits.
For Ashley, the case was a win in recovering her deposit, and for the landlord, it was a lesson in ensuring that all charges are clearly communicated and documented.
