Landlord trouble... is this legal?

So those of you who don't know, I recently moved apartments, and with that comes the waiting game for a security deposit check.  Well, much to my dismay, my landlord charged me for damages done to the garage.  The garage shared by all 5 people living in the house.  (3 apartments in the house.) Now, she also charged me for cleaning stuff which we worked our asses off doing... but that's besides the point.  the biggest problem that I have is the $200 she charged for the garage. 

We had nothing to do with what happened to the garage.  We don't know what happened to the garage.  They're saying that because my car was parked in a specific spot that I'm the one responsible for "hitting" the garage and ripping siding off.  First of all, look at my car... there's no damage from what would have happened if I did in fact hit the garage, and I sure as hell haven't fixed up my car at all.  Second of all, I parked where I could.  We all shared the spots and I just so happened to be in that spot that day. 

Now, my question to those that have experience in apartments or in legal matters can they charge me for something that happened in a shared area outside of the apartment and have no way of knowing who is responsible?   Rambino, I know this isn't your area, but if you know anyone who would know and could help me out on this send their name my way or my question their way. 

I know it's only $200, $100 for each person, but it's the principle of the matter.  Just because we're college kids doesn't mean that you can push us around and take our money no questions asked.  Currently the manager, the landlord's daughter, has gotten a call from me and should be expecting one from my father in the next few days, and if push comes to shove, I am willing to talk to either my family's lawyer friend or anyone else I can to slap these people who have pushed me around enough in the face. 

If they pull any tricks, I'm willing to pull some things out of my sleeve as well...

Can you prove it besides the lack of damage to your car?

Innocent till proven guilty!

I felt I should contribute what I knew about law.

Dye Playa wrote: your kind of stupid to hire a lawyer for a $200 argument, but your money.

"I am willing to talk to... my family's lawyer friend"

Talking to his family friend who happens to be a lawyer, not hiring one for the case.

Kill said landlord.


problem solved.

Landlords are bastards.

Benjichang wrote: Landlords are bastards.

my dads land lord is pretty cool. then again he rents an old farm house and not an apartment.

carl_the_sniper wrote: Can you prove it besides the lack of damage to your car?

 

the thing is, is that the garage is shared by everyone in the house.  the only reason they think we did it was because 2 things:

1.) my car was parked closest to the damaged area when they saw it.

2.) We moved out first so they could charge us first.

As of right now, I'm refusing to talk to the manager because she is not involved in any of the financial decisions with their "company".  I'm waiting for a phone call today to see what's going on.

 

And to those who say don't waste my money hiring a lawyer... well... I don't really have to hire one to get any advice considering I work with... well lots of good ones [/brown nosing].... and if push comes to shove I wouldn't be suing for just $200 if some of the rumors I've heard about certain procedures are correct.  But hopefully that won't be happening. 

Edited by procarbinefreak - 27 June 2007 at 9:27am

She sounds like she's just trying to get money. What's the damage anyway, some busted up drywall?