Suing my old landlord in small claims for my deposit — winning?
CAmarisol_v1 month ago
Old landlord kept my $2,200 deposit. I have move-in/move-out photos and clean rental history. Filing small claims. Do I bring an attorney?
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.
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✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
Small claims doesn't allow attorneys to represent parties at the hearing in most states (including CA) — it's designed for self-representation. What you can do is hire an attorney to PREPARE you (review evidence, draft your one-page chronology, advise on the statute) for $150-$300 of focused unbundled time. With photos and clean history, deposit cases are won by tenants frequently. Ask for: the deposit + double-damages penalty if bad faith + your filing fee. Bring three sets of evidence — one for you, one for the judge, one for the landlord. Don't argue; tell the story chronologically and let the photos speak.
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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.