question about property owners and management companies

[JaniceM]

(mostly for people in the U.S.)

When a property owner has a management company and manager, is it any of these individuals or someone else who draws up the leases?
And, if someone here has an answer to that, is it the way it's always done, or does it vary depending on owner, location, or other factors?

In brief: I was a tenant (previous location) for many years, through numerous owners/landlords. Lease from one owner/landlord did not specify that one amount had been my security deposit and another amount had been my pet deposit, but listed both together making it appear as if both were actually the security deposit.
So would anyone here know whose mistake it was?

 

[Jules]

If they’re both just listed as the security deposit now, doesn’t that mean you should get the whole thing back.

If you have copies of all the leases, you can point out when the mistake happened.

 

[JaniceM]

If they’re both just listed as the security deposit now, doesn’t that mean you should get the whole thing back.

If you have copies of all the leases, you can point out when the mistake happened.

I have a copy of lease from when I first moved in that shows what my security deposit was. But it was quite a few years later that I paid pet deposit by money order.

 

[senior chef]

The property mgr OR the apt mgr is the one who filled out the lease.
If you do not have a copy of the lease/rental agreement that shows the PET DEPOSIT, it's unlikely that you will ever know for sure.

 

[Jules]

Do you have any correspondence from when you were asked for the pet deposit, or a copy of the money order? They’re not likely to put much effort into something when they have to give you money back. Is it a large amount?

 

[Alligatorob]

Property managers usually provide the lease. However, owners sometimes review and sometimes can specify, that is not too common. No matter who provides it, if you signed it then its binding.

The lease should be clear as to the security deposit, and pet charges. Sometimes the pet charge can be additional security deposit, refundable if lease conditions are met. Sometimes it is just a charge and not refundable. If your lease is not clear on the refundability thing then the landlord can do what they want, and if you disagree you can dispute it. In some states this is easier than others.

Best of luck with it.

 

[NorthernLight]

In Canada, many buildings are owned by an "investment trust," a large group of people who are kind of like stockholders (but not exactly). They're doctors and others who have nothing to do with the operation of the apartment business. Hence the management company.

I'd start with the management company. If they try to pass the buck, get in touch with the owner (if you can).