My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hey guys, I have a problem that I would like your help on.
Long story short, I leased an apartment for 4 months before deciding I wanted a roommate. Roommate gets approved and signs on, but I forgot to do one thing: make him pay half of the security deposit. Now that the lease is ending soon, I'm scared, since the contract states that the security deposit will be returned half to each roommate, but I paid the full deposit back when I alone signed the lease.
Do I have legal rights to all the security deposit I fully paid? Or will I have to possibly have my roommate run off with half of the money since the check will be in his and my name?
Here's what the relevant parts of the "Security Deposit" section have written: "The total of the above deposits shall not secure compliance with the terms and conditions of this agreement and shall be refunded to RESIDENT within 21 days after the premises have been completely vacated less any amount necessary to pay OWNER."
Thank you so much for helping

