Moving out of our apartment was supposed to be a fresh start for my family. We had found a nicer place closer to my new job, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Our landlord, Mr. Benson, had conducted a final walk-through with us, assuring us that the apartment was in great condition and that our security deposit would be returned promptly.
However, just a few days after we moved out, I received an angry voicemail from Mr. Benson claiming he had discovered an unbearable odor in the apartment. He accused us of leaving food behind, which he claimed led to a cockroach infestation and other damages, and therefore, he would be keeping our deposit and possibly seeking additional funds for renovations. My wife and I were completely taken aback. We had made sure to clean the apartment thoroughly, even hiring professional cleaners to ensure everything was perfect.
Suspecting something was off, I remembered that our nanny cam was still installed in the apartment’s living room, hidden within a teddy bear that we had left behind. I rushed back to retrieve it, hoping it might shed some light on the situation. When I played back the footage, I was shocked to see Mr. Benson entering the apartment with a bag from which he pulled out old food and fish guts, which he then strategically placed under the sofa and behind wardrobes.
Realizing we were being scammed, I knew we had to act smartly. My wife and I decided to confront Mr. Benson, but not before ensuring we had all the evidence securely saved and backed up. We invited him to discuss the matter at a local coffee shop, and once we were all seated, I calmly presented the nanny cam footage on my laptop, watching his face fall as he realized he had been caught red-handed.
Mr. Benson sputtered, tried to make excuses, but it was clear he had no way out. We informed him that unless our full deposit was returned, along with a written apology, we would take legal action and expose his actions publicly. The threat of legal repercussions and potential damage to his reputation made him relent. Within 24 hours, we had our deposit back, along with a rather grudging apology.
Relieved yet still dismayed by the ordeal, we learned a valuable lesson about protecting ourselves as tenants. We shared our story on social media and tenant rights forums to help others be aware of such scams. Our experience not only helped us recover what was rightfully ours but also ensured that Mr. Benson would think twice before trying to deceive another tenant.
