Thing is, the landlord knows the law perfectly well, unless he's
a fly by night. He also knows all the psychology tricks EVERY
BOY learns in every country on the planet earth: Puff out chest
like a rooster. Threaten. Count on the other guy knowing less
than you. Bluff. It's schoolyard shit in every school on the
planet, every language, every country. -- Focus on the paper
trail. Forget the words. Gather what you got. Get an electronic
copy of your check saved to your phone if you don't have a
printer. It's something. Think: evidence. Imagine you're
preparing for a trial that might never happen. What kind of
stuff do you think you'd need? Words, hearsay, "I'm white, he's
indian", these are fluff stuff. Evidence. You have some of it.
Get it. Collect it. Step 1 = Transaction: Guy A gives guy B
money for product/service. Guy B pockets A's money. Guy B says,
"Sorry, no product/service for you. Go away." Everything after
that is a mess. -- Well damn, he can't kick you out then without
notice. You paid. It's not 3 days. You have proof. Checks
cashed. But... you don't have a copy of a signed rental
agreement though, do you? That's a bit of a pain there.
Shouldn't give money for an agreement without something signed
by the person you're paying that they'll make good on their
product/service. Still though, cops should back you up. Calling
the non-emergency line and asking a butt load of questions to
the cops is a good idea indeed. == They should've given you a
copy. If they did and you lost it, they should make a copy for
you. If your signature is on something, you can get a copy of it
back. == He'll find a way to wiggle out of the deposit. Sounds
to me he's just being a prick, letting you know he doesn't like
you and wants you gone. But yeah, you should get your two
months. == He cuts off Internet? He can't. You paid. He cuts off
power? He can't. You paid. He kicks you out? He can't. You paid.
If he does those things, you got the HOA. You got your check
stubs to prove with. You got police. You got landlord "lemon
laws" on a state level. All these peoples got your back in some
sense. But I don't think he's an idiot either. He's hoping you
are. ==
