UCLA Law

Many low-income veterans who move out of their apartments rely on a return of their security deposit when they leave their unit. These deposits often represent a significant expense for veterans, sometimes equaling over five to ten times the amount they pay in monthly rent. Despite their best efforts, some veterans who rely on these refunds are shocked when their landlord deducts significant expenses from their deposit or refuses to return it at all. Often, by the time the veteran learns of the problem, it is too late to meaningfully address the issue. The Veterans Legal Clinic is seeking a volunteer to develop a self-help guide of best practices that a tenant can use to protect themselves and have the best chance of receiving a return of their security deposit. This guide should include information about 1) providing appropriate notice of the veteran's intent to move, 2) pre-move out inspections, and 3) how to demand an accounting and return of the security deposit if the landlord fails to refund the deposit. Ideallys, sample letters and other self-help tools will also be included. This project may be shared between multiple volunteers, who are each assigned separate parts of the guide.

For additional questions regarding this volunteer opportunity, please contact Jeanne Nishimoto, Associate Director at nishimoto@law.ucla.edu