FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Case Begins
Jean Lopez sued his former landlord, Chester Woods.
Mr. Lopez sought the return of his security deposit.
He also wanted payment for window treatments.
Additionally, he claimed landscaping fees.
Mr. Lopez had been a tenant in Mr. Woods' private house for three years.
Lease Not Renewed
Mr. Woods did not want to renew the lease.
This decision led to Mr. Lopez moving out.
The move-out occurred in March 2017.
Mr. Lopez stated he had paid his rent regularly.
He also said the police had never been called to the house.
Initial Claims Dismissed
Judge Judy immediately addressed Mr. Lopez's claims.
She noted he was suing for his security deposit and "a whole bunch of other things."
She specifically mentioned landscaping work and window treatments.
Judge Judy called these claims "ridiculous things."
Mr. Lopez questioned her description.
Judge Judy reiterated, "Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous."
Landscaping Discussion
Judge Judy referenced Mr. Woods' answer to the complaint.
She stated that Mr. Woods had someone cut the lawn twice a month.
She asked Mr. Lopez if he cut the lawn.
Mr. Lopez confirmed he did not.
Judge Judy then asked about the landscaping Mr. Lopez claimed to have done.
She asked if he wanted to trim bushes and do other landscaping.
She told him, "Get yourself to hate. Go do it."
She clarified that it was his prerogative.
Judge Judy stated that Mr. Woods was not paying him to do landscaping.
Mr. Lopez agreed, "No, he's not."
Window Treatments
Judge Judy then moved to the window treatments.
She acknowledged that Mr. Lopez might want to put up his own window treatments.
She said he might want his home to look nice.
She noted he lived there for three years.
However, she firmly stated, "He's not going to pay you for it."
Focusing on the Security Deposit
Judge Judy then shifted the focus to the security deposit.
She expressed a hypothetical scenario.
She said if she were a rental property owner, she would want to keep a great tenant.
She described such a tenant as someone who paid rent on time.
This tenant would treat the property as their own.
They would do flower beds, prune trees, and rose bushes.
They would also never have the police come to the house.
Mr. Lopez agreed, "You would think so."
Landlord's Motivation Questioned
Judge Judy then questioned Mr. Woods' motivation for not renewing the lease.
She asked Mr. Lopez if he was on any psychotropic medication.
Mr. Lopez replied, "No, you're right."
She asked if he had been psychiatrically hospitalized last year.
Mr. Lopez again replied, "No, you're right."
Judge Judy stated that unless someone is "psychiatrically challenged," there would be no reason to remove a good tenant.
She said this was true from a business perspective.
Mr. Lopez understood her point.
Case Narrowed
Judge Judy then informed Mr. Lopez that she was only entertaining his claim for the security deposit.
She mentioned that Mr. Woods had a counterclaim.
Mr. Woods claimed Mr. Lopez caused extensive damage to the house.
Judge Judy declared, "I have just narrowed down this case."
Security Deposit Amount
Mr. Lopez stated his security deposit was $2,700.
He also paid a $300 pet deposit.
The total deposit was $3,000.
Judge Judy asked if the lease provided for the pet deposit to be returned.
Mr. Lopez did not know.
The Original Lease
Judge Judy asked if Mr. Lopez had the original lease.
He confirmed that he did.
She requested to see it.
Mr. Woods' Photographs
Judge Judy then asked Mr. Woods to present his photographs.