She claimed she had a photograph of this TV.
However, she stated her phone was run over by a car.
She lost the pictures within a 24-hour timeframe.
Ms. Sims said the pictures she showed Judge Judy were taken three days before the phone incident.
Regarding the basketball hoop, Ms. Sims admitted to keeping it.
She also admitted to keeping the fencing.
Ms. Sims stated the weight bench was still in the storage unit where the plaintiff left it.
She denied taking the PlayStation 3.
Ms. Sims described seeing "one little piece of something, like a little blue piece."
She stated she knew what a system looked like, including the hand controls and games.
She claimed there was only one blue plastic thing.
Judge Judy's Scrutiny of Ms. Sims' Actions
Judge Judy questioned Ms. Sims' actions.
Ms. Sims claimed the plaintiff did not give proper 30-day notice.
However, she acknowledged receiving November's rent.
This payment covered the notice period.
Judge Judy pointed out that Ms. Sims entered the property on November 20th.
She changed the locks despite the plaintiff having paid rent until November 30th.
The police had also advised the plaintiff she had until the end of the month.
Judge Judy stated Ms. Sims had no right to go into the house prematurely.
The Abandoned Dog
Ms. Sims claimed the dog was abandoned.
The plaintiff countered that her nephew was still living there.
She said he was feeding and taking care of the dog.
Ms. Sims stated she now had the dog.
The Missing Items and Responsibility
Judge Judy addressed the missing items.
She asked Ms. Sims about the weight bench.
Ms. Sims confirmed it was in storage.
Judge Judy told the plaintiff she could retrieve the weight bench.
Ms. Sims denied taking the PlayStation 3.
She mentioned a police visit where a man stated the basketball hoop and certain things were missing.
Ms. Sims said she would try to find out what happened and return anything she found.
The Verdict on the Security Deposit
Judge Judy ruled that the plaintiff was entitled to her security deposit back.
This was despite Ms. Sims' claims of cleanup and damage.
Judge Judy stated she did not know if the cleanup would have been completed between the 20th and 30th.
Ms. Sims had gone in prematurely.
Damages for Disposed Property
Judge Judy addressed the television.
The plaintiff did not have a bill for the television.
She said she bought it over two years ago.
Judge Judy awarded the plaintiff $400 for the television set.
For the PlayStation, the plaintiff also did not have a bill.
Judge Judy awarded $100 for the PlayStation.
Final Ruling
Judge Judy found in favor of the plaintiff.
The total award was $900.
This included the $300 security deposit.
It also included $400 for the television set.
Finally, it included $100 for the PlayStation.
Judge Judy reiterated that Ms. Sims had no right to enter the house on November 20th.
The plaintiff had paid her rent until the 30th.
Ms. Sims had acknowledged this to the police.
Ms. Sims had also acknowledged she would take full responsibility for the things she disposed of.
The basketball hoop and weight bench were to be returned to the plaintiff.
The plaintiff asked about her grandson's baby glider.
Ms. Sims stated she did not have it.
Judge Judy confirmed the arrangement with the police.
Ms. Sims was paying for what she took responsibility for.