Federal Way, WA asked in Contracts, Collections, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Oregon

Q: A,B,C moved into an apartment and equally paid 1400 in deposit. They moved out 1yr later and allowed D,E to sign onto

the lease so that they didn't have to pay a deposit.

ABC discussed it with DE and agreed that since there was some damages left and items left that when DE moved out they would pay back 1200 of the initial 1400 lease deposit to ABC.

DE finally moved out and got 1000 back.

However DE decided to split that in half between them. D doesn't want to give any of his 500 to ABC and E decided to split his 500 with ABC (each getting 150 while E gets 50)

My question is: Is ABC entitled to the full deposit back +200? We had a verbal agreement and it is shown in Facebook messages that they agreed to pay back 1200 of the intial deposit back.

1 Lawyer Answer
Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: It is unclear exactly what has happened or the relationship between the parties. It also is unclear what you mean by ABC allowed DE to sign onto the lease so they didn't have to pay a deposit. Are you saying all 5 were on the same lease, secured by the original security deposit? Or did DE replace ABC? Regardless, this is all screwed up enough that only a careful and full understanding of ALL the exact details can allow a reasonable answer as to who should get how much. In the end, anyone thinking they are still owed something is free to sue the one holding the "extra" funds in small claims court.

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