Hello,

We have lived in a rent control unit for 17 years. I didn't know the landlord was obliged to pay interest on the security deposit until shortly before we moved out (when I started looking at all the info to make sure we would receive our security deposit back).

Needless to say we did not receive the interest on the security deposit and I wrote to him asking that it would be paid for the 17 years that we had lived there.

He wrote back saying our statute of limitations had ran out and he would pay $10 for the last 4 years.

LAHD said the landlord owes us for the full 16 years but I just wanted to make sure before I proceed asking for the payment again. Any help would be appreciated.


Here is what I quoted in my letter to the landlord:

C. (Amended by Ord. No. 174,017, Eff. 7/16/01.) Interest shall begin accruing on November 1,
1990, on a monthly basis. A tenant shall be given the unpaid accrued interest in the form of either a direct
payment or a credit against the tenant’s rent. The landlord shall choose between these two methods of
payment and notify the tenant in writing of his or her choice. The landlord may elect to pay the accrued
interest on a monthly or yearly basis.
D. Upon termination of tenancy, only the tenant whose security deposit has been held for one year
or more shall be entitled to payment of any unpaid accumulated interest on the security deposit. Such
payment shall be made at the same time and in the same manner as required for return of security deposits
in California Civil Code Section 1950.5(f)