California Renters! Landlords hold billions of dollars in security deposits and improper withholding has become so common that many tenants have pretty much given up on ever seeing this money again.
One of the largest financial assets (sometimes the only asset) that many tenants have – their deposit – is quite literally stolen. This creates an enormous hardship for tenants and is fundamentally unfair. Security deposit theft is one of the most common grievances for California’s 15 million renters.
Tenants Together recently did a survey of members: over 60% reported unfair withholding of deposit money. This is an astonishing figure. The fundamental problem is that landlords do not view these funds as the tenant’s money. It’s that simple.
Have you ever been a victim of security deposit theft? There’s strength in numbers, and we need to hear your story to make the collective voice of tenants throughout California heard!
