Landlord tenant laws
Where can I find out tenant laws for VI?
Trying to find out security deposit laws. How long can they hold it? Can I ask for receipts/proof of the deductions? Etc.
I put in my leases when the deposit will be returned (within 30 days of vacancy).
I do this because I often find hidden or concealed damages when painting that are not often seen during a cursory visual inspection. I provide an itemized list of repair items (with receipt copies) and labor hours.
I'll add that there is nothing in the laws that address a security deposit that I am aware of, so I'm interested in whatever you find out.
Landlord and tenant relations are covered by the Virgin Islands Code, Title Twenty Eight (Property), Chapter 31 (Landlord and Tenant). Sub-chapter III deals with Rent Control, sub-chapter II provides provisions for Forcible Entry and Detainer and sub-chapter I contains General Provisions.
What does your lease say?
Normally, 30 days in my experiences due to what CruzanIron said plus the WAPA bills are 30 days behind if landlord keeps bills in their name but tenant pays.
You do have the right to copies of receipts/itemized list of monies withheld by landlord.
Unfortunately, states have easily accessible landlord tenant laws spelled out in detail but, as yet, nobody has taken the time to set out the VI laws in the same format. That said, in my experience and since VI judges generally follow basic stateside laws, 30 days does indeed seem to be the norm here (stateside jurisdictions vary from 14-35 days but 30 is the norm). The security deposit has to be returned along with any deductions not covered by normal wear and tear (including unpaid rent and outstanding utility bills) itemized and accounted for in writing.
If you feel the deductions are unreasonable then you can dispute them (everything in writing, of course) and if you can't resolve the dispute then you can file a claim in Small Claims court.
All this should of course be spelled out in your lease agreement. If you're uncomfortable with any lease provision which seems unreasonable or excessive then ask for it to be amended.
Landlord and tenant relations are covered by the Virgin Islands Code, Title Twenty Eight (Property), Chapter 31 (Landlord and Tenant). Sub-chapter III deals with Rent Control, sub-chapter II provides provisions for Forcible Entry and Detainer and sub-chapter I contains General Provisions.
Here it is: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/vicode/
I took my old realtor to small claims court after she stole my deposit. Was actually pretty easy to get it back plus court costs.
Good day - I was trying to reference something in the VI landlord tenant laws, and the only place I can find them online is the link STXBob gave - http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/vicode/. But it does not load for me. Is my connection just too slow? Can others view them? Thank you.
Took a while but loaded for me.
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