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What we do for renters that have had their security deposit stolen

Renter security deposit theft is a huge problem in California. Because the amount stolen is relatively small (compared to the litigation cost), renters have limited choices and landlords know it. That is why they steal. And let’s call it what it is: Theft. A large percentage, if not the vast majority of California landlords are thieves.

As a consumer protection law firm, we would get a lot of calls from renters that would tell us their landlord stole their security deposits. In the past, we would refer them to small claims court. But as time went on, we realized that way too many California renters were getting their deposit stolen, and it was clear why: because the tenants only had one ineffective option. Small claims court.
The more we investigated and researched the problem, the more it was clear that we had only one choice: while it maybe our least profitable line of cases (and we could even lose money doing so), we must step in and do something to change this behavior.

We will no longer refer you to small claims court if you call us about a stolen security deposit. Now, we will take your case if you have had your security deposit stolen from your landlord. Keep in mind that:

  • We only represent renters, never landlords.
  • We only represent renters on contingency, we never ask you for money.
  • We use landlords no matter how little they steal from a renter’s security deposit. We have sued for as little as $12 being stolen from a security deposit. Theft is theft.We care about renters/tenants being treated fairly. We have made it our mission.
  • We will take your case anywhere in California (Serving all 58 Counties).
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AS A CALIFORNIA RENTER

What Are Your Rights As A
Renter In California?

  •  The Security Deposit Belongs to You
  • Landlord must provide notice for a pre-move inspection before laying claim to your security deposit.
  • After inspection, landlord must provide a list of items to be charged against the security deposit and time to correct these issues.
  • Landlord cannot take anything from your security deposit unless the issue is stipulated on the pre move out inspection report.
  • Landlord must return your entire security deposit in 21 days if they do not have a claim for damages.
  • Landlord must provide proof such as invoices and receipts to justify security deposit deductions.
  • Your deposit must be used either for the replacement/repair of broken items or to cover unpaid rent, utility bills, etc.-nothing else.
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Security Deposit Held Unfairly? Here’s What
To Do

After the termination of a tenancy, your landlord is mandated to return the balance of your security deposit (if any) after all the proper deductions have been made. If your landlord fails to return the security deposit (or balance after permitted deductions) within 21 days of tenancy termination, or fails to present an itemized list of damages within this time, then, you may sue your landlord according to California state law. The best part: California statues provide for damages in excess of the amount of security deposit withheld. As such, you can call The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun for no-upfront-cost legal representation. We will cover all litigation expenses and only get paid if we win. Should we fail, you do not incur any costs at all. No matter the amount taken, as a California tenant/renter, we are here to represent you in court (not small claims).
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A 2013 survey of California tenants revealed the rampancy of security deposit theft:

60% reported

They experienced unfair withholding of some or all of their deposits;

53% said

The last time they moved, they did not receive any of their deposit funds within 21 days of vacating:

36% reported

That their entire deposit was withheld the last time they moved

Few tenants report

Taking legal action against their landlord when they felt their security deposit was stolen.

Is Legal Representation Necessary for Security Deposit Claims?

As a California tenant, yes, you do need legal representation. When tenants are deprived of their security deposit, they are told to go to small claims court, where no lawyers are required and only the cost of damages incurred is disputed. As a result, landlords do not feel threatened by the legal system and are further incentivized to continue withholding security deposits from tenants. With the average statewide tenancy spanning 3 years, a ridiculous $1 billion is withheld from an estimated $5 billion in security deposits owned by California tenants.
To end on a positive note…
Another 2013 study of three-courthouse small claims actions found tenants prevailed in over 70% of the cases that went to judgment. This means that by taking legal action against landlords who stole your security deposit, you are almost always guaranteed a WIN in court. Remember, it’s your money; you own every piece of it.

About The Law Office of
Andre L. Verdun

The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun is a law firm that handles California customer protection, criminal law, and tenants’ rights cases. The founder, Andre L. Verdun, is a former pro wrestler, activist, and civil rights and criminal defense lawyer for over 13 years. He and his firm are dedicated to serving the people, especially those with little access to good legal representation.
The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun is aware of California landlords abusing their powers over rent security deposits and is ready to prosecute security deposit theft cases no matter how much or how little money was wrongfully withheld from you, the renter.
Therefore, we represent California tenants and renters on a contingency basis, meaning we cover all litigation expenses and only get paid if we win. We try these cases because withholding security deposits is wrong, and landlords need to be held accountable.
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Have Professional Team
  • Has Trusted More 500+ Clients
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The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun helps tenants in California get their Security Deposits back from Landlords

After the termination of a tenancy, your landlord is mandated to return the balance of your security deposit (if any) after all the proper deductions have been made. If your landlord fails to return the security deposit (or balance after permitted deductions) within 21 days of tenancy termination, or fails to present an itemized list of damages within this time, then, you may sue your landlord according to California state law. The best part: California statues provide for damages in excess of the amount of security deposit withheld. As such, you can call The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun for no-upfront-cost legal representation. We will cover all litigation expenses and only get paid if we win. Should we fail, you do not incur any costs at all. No matter the amount taken, as a California tenant/renter, we are here to represent you in court (not small claims).

About The LAW Office od Andre L. Verdun

The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun is a law firm that handles California customer protection, criminal law, and tenants’ rights cases. The founder, Andre L. Verdun, is a former pro wrestler, activist, and civil rights and criminal defense lawyer for over 13 years. He and his firm are dedicated to serving the people, especially those with little access to good legal representation. The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun is aware of California landlords abusing their powers over rent security deposits and is ready to prosecute security deposit theft cases no matter how much or how little money was wrongfully withheld from you, the renter. Therefore, we represent California tenants/renters on a contingency basis, meaning we cover all litigation expenses and only get paid if we win. We try these cases because withholding security deposits is wrong, and landlords need to be held accountable.

Meet the Founder

Andre L. Verdun founded The Law Office of Andre L. Verdun in 2014 after nearly a decade practicing at Crowley Law Group, a well-respected law firm in the country. He practiced federal criminal defense, state criminal defense, consumer rights litigation, and consumer bankruptcy. After going independent, he expanded his civil practice to include unfair and deceptive consumer transactions, civil rights litigation, and some limited tenant rights litigation.
In 2018, Andre became an adjunct professor at the Southern California Institute of Law, where he teaches Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and various practical litigation courses (civil and criminal). Two years in a row, he has been awarded Professor of the Year by the student body. He has tried numerous criminal and civil cases before a jury and bench trials both in state and federal court, including arbitration, mediations, and evidentiary and criminal preliminary hearings.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Andre was an avid activist, protesting matters of criminal justice reform, concerns over 4th Amendment privacy, and equal rights. His practice is driven by passion for the people and the people alone. He is dedicated to resolving often overlooked legal issues within his community, providing underserved minorities with much-needed legal representation. His law firm offers contingency-based legal services that protect California residents from societal harms and tenancy misconduct including security deposits theft

Education

A. in Criminal Justice; B.A. in Legal Sciences,
D. Degree (Juris Doctor or Law Degree), Southern California Institute of Law,
M in Federal Criminal Trial Defense Advocacy, California Western School of Law.

Admissions to Practice

State Bar of California on December 1, 2009,
The United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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