QUOTE (GwenTellier @ Sep 8 2010, 01:10 PM) How can my daughter get her damage deposit back from her room in Halifax. Landlord is withholding it due to a roommates bounced cheque. His name was on the lease. She left it cleaner than when she moved in and was a responsible tenant. Also, how does a tenant screen a landlord. Is there any way to find out if a landlord is "not good" or can be black listed. Gwen Tellier
Hi Gwen
Check the lease, and check the local laws about the damage deposit.
Was your daughter named at all? Is the landlord holding everyones` deposit for what is a portion of the rent? My son was in a similar situation when a student several years ago. We had insisted that each renter was `several` to the lease and not `joint` in regard to this type of thing, and my son was able to clear things up relatively quickly with his landlord as a result.
The very least you should be able to make a sound argument, whether it is in the lease or not. They may just be the type who is trying to determine whether you have the fight in you.
I`m sure there are local consumer advocacy groups more than willing to take on the issue. They are certainly a strong presence in Toronto.
If unsucessful, you may have ways to recover it from the lead tenant.
Good luck
