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Posted by Sam on November 05, 1999 at 14:18:02:

I'm in an unregulated Brooklyn 2-bedroom (unregulated because the LL somehow
got the legal rent over $2000, though the actual rent he charges is much less).
Twice in recent months I have bounced checks to my LL, though each time the
check was paid when re-deposited a week or two later. The first time I
reimbursed him for the $10 fee that his bank apparently charged him, and this
seemed to satisfy him. Now that it has happened a second time he has asked
me for a second month's security deposit. I proposed instead that I would pay
an administrative fee that would more realistically cover his costs for dealing
with my bounced check (because the $10 fee is only his DIRECT expense--
obviously there's also his time to call me, return to his bank, plus the lost
interest income). I have not been able to find any provisions about fees of
any kind in our lease. Two questions:

(1) can he INSIST on another month's rent for a deposit?
(2) are there any guidelines about what might be a reasonable fee that I could
offer to pay instead?

Thanks so much for your replies. --Sam Bacon

Follow Ups:

• Re: consequence for bounced check..OH boy! richard 11/06/99 (0)

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Comments:
: I'm in an unregulated Brooklyn 2-bedroom (unregulated because the LL somehow
: got the legal rent over $2000, though the actual rent he charges is much less).
: Twice in recent months I have bounced checks to my LL, though each time the 
: check was paid when re-deposited a week or two later. The first time I 
: reimbursed him for the $10 fee that his bank apparently charged him, and this
: seemed to satisfy him.  Now that it has happened a second time he has asked 
: me for a second month's security deposit.  I proposed instead that I would pay 
: an administrative fee that would more realistically cover his costs for dealing
: with my bounced check (because the $10 fee is only his DIRECT expense--
: obviously there's also his time to call me, return to his bank, plus the lost
: interest income).  I have not been able to find any provisions about fees of
: any kind in our lease.  Two questions:

: (1) can he INSIST on another month's rent for a deposit?
: (2) are there any guidelines about what might be a reasonable fee that I could
: offer to pay instead?

: Thanks so much for your replies.  --Sam Bacon



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