Cedar Tree Holdings, LLC; PO Box 1249; Easley, SC 29641
Deposit Amount : usp_custom_field : 0.00
I am a high school teacher at a school in the Greenville area in South Carolina. Owing to the Covid 19 outbreak and the closing of school, I decided to move out of the apartment I had been renting for three (3) years. At the time of rental, I paid a deposit of $750. The lease I signed at the beginning of my tenure was up for renewal after my first year, but I did not sign it. On Sunday March 29, 2020, I sent him a text informing him that I was currently away from the premises and that I was going to vacate the premises at the end of April. He asked me to send his rent through my bank account, which I did.
On the morning of Tuesday April 28, texted him and told him I was coming to move my belongings on May 28. He told me he would be in office the next day and I could come by. I requested to have his handy man come by the apartment while I was packing, and he informed me that he would be able to be there. I wanted that handyman to be there to verify that the apartment was being left in excellent condition. I finished packing earlier than I thought and decided to leave that same night. I dropped the key and a note of my current address off at the office, and sent him a message the next morning with the reason for my early departure. He also informed me that he would inspect the apartment by the end of the next week.
Two weeks later a letter comes with a check for $175. I read the reasons he has deducted $575 from my security deposit and I was appalled! He has listed deep cleaning, painting of the apartment as the reason that amount was withdrawn! Let me be clear, I was alone in that apartment for two and a half years. My mother visited once and stayed for two months. I had a friend that started visiting in the last six months of the time I was living there. He had a registered service dog that spent most of his time downstairs on the board floor. He did not live there. He visited and left for his OWN house on many occasions. That apartment was left in excellent condition. The carets were clean, and there were no rips or tears or any damage of any sort left in that apartment! I consider this situation to be bordering on theft. After a tenant leaves an apartment, it has to be painted and cleaned. He is not supposed to take my money to paint or clean anywhere in that apartment! I did not leave any damage there at all! He also did not have to paint anywhere except the stairwell wall that had a few scratches and next to the stove that has splashes! I deserve every penny of my deposit back, especially because I went to so much length to maintain it.
I have since emailed him and his sister who runs the office. I have called and spoken to the sister who said he was out of town and would call as soon as he returns, yet I still have NOT heard from him. I have sent him text messages and have got no response. I have mailed him a letter demanding the return of my refund, and I have not got any response either. It appears he has made up his mind that he will unjustly hold on to my money.
I NEED my money back. This is not money he worked for! This is my blood, sweat, tears and frustration money! Therefore, in compliance with SC Code § 27-40-410 (2012), he needs to refund my security deposit as soon as possible. Please I am asking for your intervention in this matter. Thanks in advance.