UPDATE 8/14

[universalshane]

Sorry that I haven't updated anyone sooner.

I have spoken to Oliver Law Group and they are in the process of writing their argument.

I am waiting to speak to a representative of the firm to answer some of my specific questions but as I understand they WILL be moving forward as a class action law suit with me as the representative of the class.

When I have more specifics I will let people know, but I believe it is a waiting game until they are able to file with certain courts.

[hb670]

i'm not sure if this is redundant information or not but a friend of mine found out that Boydell is just the operating LLC. Ivory is the only taxable property owner for this building. so suing boydell wouldn't get too far, they'd have to go after ivory. hope this helps.

[anonymous86]

Has everyone giving up on this ? I have moved out but have not returned my keys yet I refuse to do so until someone imspects my loft so that I can get my security deposit back. Mgmt told me that if we didn't pay august rent then we wouldn't be getting anything back has anyone else heard anything differnet.? Please let me know I don't want to give up

[dmj2012]

I haven't given up. Actually still in the building. Moving on Monday. Yet, because I hadn't heard anything it has given me less hope. If anyone knows anything, please let the rest of us know.

[loftdweller]

I have not given up either.

According to the Michigan Legal Aid website landlords may not use the security deposit as unpaid rent if the rent has been withheld for legitimate reasons. If you follow the procedures outlined in the Tenants and Landlords: A Practical Guide (see link below) and the landlord does not you will be able to sue in 36th District Court.

If a landlord fails to follow the procedure s/he loses all rights to deduct any charges from the security deposit.

If a landlord wrongfully withholds a portion of your security deposit by law you are entitled to recover double the amount of your security deposit.

Security Deposits and Withholding Rent
www.michiganlegalaid.org/library_client/resource.2005-05-30.1117489737707/html_view
Your landlord may attempt to take the withheld money out of your security deposit as unpaid rent. You can dispute this with your legitimate, documented reasons for having withheld rent. This dispute should be resolved in Small Claims Court.

Page 10- Security Deposit Timeline
www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf

Recovering a wrongfully withheld security deposit
www.sheltonlegal.net/html/tenants__rights_in_michigan.html
If your landlord wrongfully withholds a portion of your security deposit, the statutes provide a strong incentive for you to sue to recover: by law, you are entitled to recover double the amount of your security deposit. Note that this is not double the amount that your landlord wrongfully withheld, but double the entire security deposit. Thus, if your security deposit was $750 and your landlord wrongfully withheld $200, you can sue and recover $1,500.