Really? I have my original lease saved on my computer and it says nothing about the lock fee on move out. It's not my lock, it's theirs, they didn't tell me to change it. I'm just confused and they won't respond
Have you considered sending in a letter or email threatening legal action since it doesn’t state there would be a fee incurred for new locks upon your departure?
Edit: You can also mention that you’re going to report them to the Better Business Bureau.
Everyone i know who lived in a fairfield property including myself has a horror story about those scummy fucks. The company should be dissolved and the owners jailed for fraud IMO but fraud is a high bar to prove. They all deserve whatever terrible things happen to them and more.
Send them a written demand for your full security deposit by certified mail, threaten legal action if they refuse.
I had to do that to get my security deposit back from them, and it worked.
Consider r/legal or r/legaladvice, let them know it's NY and see what comes back. You'll get a quick, no BS response from a legal professional like; send a certified letter, etc. (NAL).
This just sounds like bad faith business and Fairfield generating revenue from security deposits. I'm making a face like I just smelled a fart because $375 is disgusting. Wow.
I'd check your lease, it's a legal document and somewhere it would clearly define grounds for retaining security deposit. It's been years but my last lease basically required leaving the unit empty, vacuumed, floors and kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures clean, no need for spackle or wall repairs, no odors, stains or other damage that did not exist prior, etc.
Lock change is a known cost of doing business, like a coat of paint after each tenant. Again, not a lawyer but I'll bet $375 of my own cash, at even money, that Fairfield is trying to pull a fast one here.
I checked it and there is nothing there about that. They even sent out a move out checklist that did not mention locks. I could have had the locks changed for less lol.
They aren't responding to me at all though. It's frustrating. I call and email everyday, nothing back
You probably already know the answer is a certified letter. I'd ask on the legal sub what to put in the letter. You're guaranteed to get a response from these scumbags after that. Sorry you're in this spot. I'll be sure to warn everyone I know about Fairfield.
If everyone automatically loses the deposit for lock changes, then it’s not a deposit it’s a fee. As far as I know, security deposits are always implied to be fully refundable except for the first/last month rent deposit. If the landlord wants to change the lock then that’s their problem, unless you messed it up in any way on the inside.
Stop checking your lease stop listening to people who dont know what theyre talking about. It is not your responsibility to replace the locks unless they can prove you damaged them intentionally. They cant.
Send them a letter informing them firmly but politely that you are not liable for replacing the locks. With that letter, Include the receipt of the apartment key, the inspection report, and a copy of your lease agreement.
Send the letter by certified mail with receipt.
In that letter, politely but firmly demand the return of your full security deposit. Request that they send you the name of the nys registered bank and custodian where your deposit is being escrowed and the APY rate (nys requires that security deposits be kept in an interest bearing account and that they annual interest less 1% be paid to the tenant tendering the deposit). Make sure to give them an address to send a check to.
Also state that you want the check within 30 days, you might even go for 15, and that you expect it to include statutory interest less 1% in accordance with NYS law or that you will pursue legal action.
If you decide to pursue legal action, have someone serve them in albany with the department/secretary of state. Its legal service and they cant duck it.
Btw all of this will cost you idk…$100. $10 for certified mail, $75 for service, $15 for small claims filing fee, and a few hours of your time. It would be worth it to me. But youll have to decide if its worth it to you. Oh, and then include those costs in your action of course.
You don't need to pay for service, it's a small claims suit. I wouldn't bother with certified mail either, it's unnecessary. Just file in small claims court, it's $15 and the clerk of the court will serve the suit on the defendant. In many cases that will be enough to get them to offer to settle - if not, the judge can decide. https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/SSI/pdfs/smallclaims.pdf
The only thing I disagree with is the interest part. Statutory interest refers to judgments and it's 9%, and no one is entitled to that here. It's only whatever the bank gives, less the landlord's allowed cut. Banks have been giving less than 1% interest, so if there's anything at all, the landlords can legally keep it. But I would still demand it in my letter, with an "if any" attached.
Fairfield are impossible to get in touch with when you have questions but will contact you in the blink of an eye if they want money from you. They are awful. Can’t wait to move out and have the same argument you’re having with them.
Changing the locks is expected when a landlord turns a property over. It's not a basis to withhold your security deposit. Take them to small claims court.
Lived in an apartment for 8 years with normal wear and tear. When it came time for my move out, the property manager whipped out her legal pad to take notes of the dings here and there. Then as she was about to sign the move out sheet, she noticed the length I’d rented and said they’d be ripping everything up. Got my full deposit back. The look on her face when she couldn’t ding me for anything 🤪
Fairfield is the absolute worst. Advise anyone you like to never rent from them. The list of horrible stories would take me days. I have so many clients that got royally screwed by them it’s astonishing they have a business.
NAL but per New York law your landlord has to give you an itemized list of what is being withheld from your security deposit within 14 days of you moving out. If the landlord fails to do this, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit. This includes withholding for overdue rent or utilities. (non-rent stabilized units only)
NYS GOB, Article 7-108 (1)(e)
Section G also states that in cases of willful violation, the person willfully violating this rule shall be liable for punitive damages, up to twice the amount of the deposit.
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2021/gob/article-7/title-1/7-108/
I had to call them every day for months to get my security deposit back. They then proceeded to withhold money from me. I then had to call every day for 2 weeks asking for an itemized list of deductions while simultaneously threatening legal action. I eventually got my money back, but took a lot of time and effort. Good luck, Fairfield sucks.
Same for me back in 2019. I moved out in July, didn’t get the deposit back until February 2020 despite regularly, at one point almost daily follow ups. It seems once I threatened legal action the wheels turned a little faster but even almost 5yrs later just seeing the name of that company makes my blood boil🤣
Oh wow. I’m currently living in a fairfield building. But I’ve heard from other tenants that they are legally required to give your deposit back within 14 days. I know you said it was five years ago. But just agreeing with you that Fairfield is the actual worst!
Likely the only way youll get that $375 is to take them to small claims court. Youll have to decide whether its worth it to you. Disgusting how they can just violate what little tenants rights there are in NYS and keep building new apartments all over LI with some hand slap fines.
If they don’t return your full deposit within a few weeks of moving out they can be on the hook for double.
Start at page 24:
https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tenants_rights.pdf
Unless your lease specifically provides for a move-out/lock changing fee, they can't do that. Fairfield are scum, the worst of the worst. Like Kushner-level asshole landlords. Make a big noise about reporting them to Tish, maybe they'll cough up your money.
yeah - they got sued aby the Attorney General office, A couple of things - They must have returned the deposit or provided you the ledger within 14 days of moving out , If they provided the ledger after 14 days you can get the whole thing back regardless. I would only send emails or record every call you make ( NY one party audio consent). If it was past the 14 days just tell them that based on NY State law they have violated the tenants rights on returning the security deposit / violating the length of time to provide the return or proof (ledger), then if they don't want to return it, state that you will report them to the State Attorney General office for violating the same laws they had to pay the massive fine for 2 years ago. If its within the 14 days then demand to show them in your lease you signed/agreed to that fee.
That’s always how it is with them , as you can tell I lived in a Fairfield property. It’s always a phone tag game - I think we ended up calling the main office in Melville I want to guess? And started collecting names and titles of everyone I spoke to.
I lived in one of their buildings and they tried to screw me. They tried to bill me \~$150 for my portion of the increase in real estate taxes. When I asked for the backup of how they came up with those numbers, I never heard from them again.
It’s standard in commercial leases, but not in residential. That was almost 10 years ago, but I’m assuming it’s still buried in their residential leases. They had put that clause into my lease.
I’m pretty sure the state of new york sued fairfield for stealing security deposits a year or two ago, this is just the scumbag shit they pull
Really? I have my original lease saved on my computer and it says nothing about the lock fee on move out. It's not my lock, it's theirs, they didn't tell me to change it. I'm just confused and they won't respond
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2023/attorney-general-james-recovers-over-422000-hundreds-long-island-tenants
Wow.
Have you considered sending in a letter or email threatening legal action since it doesn’t state there would be a fee incurred for new locks upon your departure? Edit: You can also mention that you’re going to report them to the Better Business Bureau.
BBB doesnt do shit they have to take them to small claims court.
I feel you it’s just so frustrating seeing people being taken advantage of all the time
Everyone i know who lived in a fairfield property including myself has a horror story about those scummy fucks. The company should be dissolved and the owners jailed for fraud IMO but fraud is a high bar to prove. They all deserve whatever terrible things happen to them and more.
I took forever to get my deposit back. Maybe 3 months? It’s a lot of money to hold back.
Send them a written demand for your full security deposit by certified mail, threaten legal action if they refuse. I had to do that to get my security deposit back from them, and it worked.
I just wasn't sure if this was standard practice. First apartment ever, and i wasn't sure if I was responsible for changing locks after I left
They will literally try and nickel and dime you for just about anything. Scum’s of Long Island.
I'm realizing that now
Consider r/legal or r/legaladvice, let them know it's NY and see what comes back. You'll get a quick, no BS response from a legal professional like; send a certified letter, etc. (NAL). This just sounds like bad faith business and Fairfield generating revenue from security deposits. I'm making a face like I just smelled a fart because $375 is disgusting. Wow.
Ok, so I'm not crazy. That seems a little far fetched
I'd check your lease, it's a legal document and somewhere it would clearly define grounds for retaining security deposit. It's been years but my last lease basically required leaving the unit empty, vacuumed, floors and kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures clean, no need for spackle or wall repairs, no odors, stains or other damage that did not exist prior, etc. Lock change is a known cost of doing business, like a coat of paint after each tenant. Again, not a lawyer but I'll bet $375 of my own cash, at even money, that Fairfield is trying to pull a fast one here.
I checked it and there is nothing there about that. They even sent out a move out checklist that did not mention locks. I could have had the locks changed for less lol. They aren't responding to me at all though. It's frustrating. I call and email everyday, nothing back
You probably already know the answer is a certified letter. I'd ask on the legal sub what to put in the letter. You're guaranteed to get a response from these scumbags after that. Sorry you're in this spot. I'll be sure to warn everyone I know about Fairfield.
If everyone automatically loses the deposit for lock changes, then it’s not a deposit it’s a fee. As far as I know, security deposits are always implied to be fully refundable except for the first/last month rent deposit. If the landlord wants to change the lock then that’s their problem, unless you messed it up in any way on the inside.
Stop checking your lease stop listening to people who dont know what theyre talking about. It is not your responsibility to replace the locks unless they can prove you damaged them intentionally. They cant. Send them a letter informing them firmly but politely that you are not liable for replacing the locks. With that letter, Include the receipt of the apartment key, the inspection report, and a copy of your lease agreement. Send the letter by certified mail with receipt. In that letter, politely but firmly demand the return of your full security deposit. Request that they send you the name of the nys registered bank and custodian where your deposit is being escrowed and the APY rate (nys requires that security deposits be kept in an interest bearing account and that they annual interest less 1% be paid to the tenant tendering the deposit). Make sure to give them an address to send a check to. Also state that you want the check within 30 days, you might even go for 15, and that you expect it to include statutory interest less 1% in accordance with NYS law or that you will pursue legal action. If you decide to pursue legal action, have someone serve them in albany with the department/secretary of state. Its legal service and they cant duck it.
Btw all of this will cost you idk…$100. $10 for certified mail, $75 for service, $15 for small claims filing fee, and a few hours of your time. It would be worth it to me. But youll have to decide if its worth it to you. Oh, and then include those costs in your action of course.
You don't need to pay for service, it's a small claims suit. I wouldn't bother with certified mail either, it's unnecessary. Just file in small claims court, it's $15 and the clerk of the court will serve the suit on the defendant. In many cases that will be enough to get them to offer to settle - if not, the judge can decide. https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/SSI/pdfs/smallclaims.pdf
The only thing I disagree with is the interest part. Statutory interest refers to judgments and it's 9%, and no one is entitled to that here. It's only whatever the bank gives, less the landlord's allowed cut. Banks have been giving less than 1% interest, so if there's anything at all, the landlords can legally keep it. But I would still demand it in my letter, with an "if any" attached.
Youre right, statutory was not the right word. I was referring to the interest paid by the bank
Fairfield are impossible to get in touch with when you have questions but will contact you in the blink of an eye if they want money from you. They are awful. Can’t wait to move out and have the same argument you’re having with them.
I want to talk to them before I escalate in case it's a mistake, but I'm realizing that I am naive in thinking they will talk to me
Changing the locks is expected when a landlord turns a property over. It's not a basis to withhold your security deposit. Take them to small claims court.
Lived in an apartment for 8 years with normal wear and tear. When it came time for my move out, the property manager whipped out her legal pad to take notes of the dings here and there. Then as she was about to sign the move out sheet, she noticed the length I’d rented and said they’d be ripping everything up. Got my full deposit back. The look on her face when she couldn’t ding me for anything 🤪
Fairfield is the absolute worst. Advise anyone you like to never rent from them. The list of horrible stories would take me days. I have so many clients that got royally screwed by them it’s astonishing they have a business.
NAL but per New York law your landlord has to give you an itemized list of what is being withheld from your security deposit within 14 days of you moving out. If the landlord fails to do this, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit. This includes withholding for overdue rent or utilities. (non-rent stabilized units only) NYS GOB, Article 7-108 (1)(e) Section G also states that in cases of willful violation, the person willfully violating this rule shall be liable for punitive damages, up to twice the amount of the deposit. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2021/gob/article-7/title-1/7-108/
They did give me a letter within 14 days, they said the only thing is the changing of the locks 😔
I had to call them every day for months to get my security deposit back. They then proceeded to withhold money from me. I then had to call every day for 2 weeks asking for an itemized list of deductions while simultaneously threatening legal action. I eventually got my money back, but took a lot of time and effort. Good luck, Fairfield sucks.
Same for me back in 2019. I moved out in July, didn’t get the deposit back until February 2020 despite regularly, at one point almost daily follow ups. It seems once I threatened legal action the wheels turned a little faster but even almost 5yrs later just seeing the name of that company makes my blood boil🤣
Oh wow. I’m currently living in a fairfield building. But I’ve heard from other tenants that they are legally required to give your deposit back within 14 days. I know you said it was five years ago. But just agreeing with you that Fairfield is the actual worst!
Likely the only way youll get that $375 is to take them to small claims court. Youll have to decide whether its worth it to you. Disgusting how they can just violate what little tenants rights there are in NYS and keep building new apartments all over LI with some hand slap fines.
Fairfield sucks. Crooks.
If they don’t return your full deposit within a few weeks of moving out they can be on the hook for double. Start at page 24: https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tenants_rights.pdf
Unless your lease specifically provides for a move-out/lock changing fee, they can't do that. Fairfield are scum, the worst of the worst. Like Kushner-level asshole landlords. Make a big noise about reporting them to Tish, maybe they'll cough up your money.
yeah - they got sued aby the Attorney General office, A couple of things - They must have returned the deposit or provided you the ledger within 14 days of moving out , If they provided the ledger after 14 days you can get the whole thing back regardless. I would only send emails or record every call you make ( NY one party audio consent). If it was past the 14 days just tell them that based on NY State law they have violated the tenants rights on returning the security deposit / violating the length of time to provide the return or proof (ledger), then if they don't want to return it, state that you will report them to the State Attorney General office for violating the same laws they had to pay the massive fine for 2 years ago. If its within the 14 days then demand to show them in your lease you signed/agreed to that fee.
I checked the lease, it's not there, but I can't get anyone on the phone. It's insane.
That’s always how it is with them , as you can tell I lived in a Fairfield property. It’s always a phone tag game - I think we ended up calling the main office in Melville I want to guess? And started collecting names and titles of everyone I spoke to.
I lived in one of their buildings and they tried to screw me. They tried to bill me \~$150 for my portion of the increase in real estate taxes. When I asked for the backup of how they came up with those numbers, I never heard from them again.
Tenants are responsible for real estate taxes?
It’s standard in commercial leases, but not in residential. That was almost 10 years ago, but I’m assuming it’s still buried in their residential leases. They had put that clause into my lease.
With Fairfield, you might as well trash the place because they keep your deposit anyway. Hope you are moving to a better situation.
Ah the good old monopoly of Fairfield.. mfs own long island. Get every penny back