FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS EXCUSE DID NOT GO WELL IN COURT!
A Room for Rent Leads to Court
Imagine agreeing to rent a room.
Then you change your mind.
Now you want your money back.
That is the situation Mr. Garcia finds himself in.
He is suing Ms. Belotti.
The Plaintiff's Story
Mr. Garcia saw a room advertised on Craigslist.
This was on August 13th.
He emailed Ms. Belotti the next day, August 14th.
They exchanged emails.
He then went to see the room.
He liked the room.
It was close to his work.
The agreed-upon rent was $700.
A security deposit of $700 was also required.
The total was $1,400.
Mr. Garcia agreed to take the room.
He gave Ms. Belotti a $400 check on August 14th.
He was supposed to move in on September 1st.
This was an oral agreement.
There was no written lease.
Mr. Garcia saw Ms. Belotti again.
This was the Monday after that weekend.
He brought her more money.
He gave her $880 in cash.
The Defendant's Side
Ms. Belotti took down the Craigslist ad.
This happened the day after she received the $880.
She offered Mr. Garcia free rent for two weeks.
Then she offered one week free.
This would allow him to move in earlier.
This was during the week of August 17th.
An Uncomfortable Encounter
Mr. Garcia described feeling uncomfortable.
He said Ms. Belotti made personal comments.
He also mentioned a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
This happened after he gave her the $400 check.
He called it a "red flag."
He questioned her intentions.
Judge Judy noted his discomfort.
She then pointed out his next action.
He gave her an additional $880 in cash.
Mr. Garcia explained it was cash he had made from tips.
The Change of Heart
Mr. Garcia told Ms. Belotti he no longer wanted the room.
This was on August 25th.
He said he didn't feel comfortable.
He also mentioned his brother's wedding.
Ms. Belotti told him to "sleep on it."
She asked him to let her know the next day.
Mr. Garcia texted her.
He said he was not going to stay.
He claims Ms. Belotti texted him back.
He says she agreed to give him his $1,280 back.
He also claims she said she would look for other tenants.
Judge Judy wanted to see this text message.
She wanted to see where Ms. Belotti said she would give the money back.
Judge Judy Explains the Law
Judge Judy explained that Mr. Garcia was not entitled to the money back.
This is unless Ms. Belotti agreed to return it.
She noted that Ms. Belotti took down her ad.
She couldn't rent the room for September.
This was because she had already taken Mr. Garcia's money.
Ms. Belotti stated she put the ad back up on September 2nd.
She said she couldn't rent the room.
The Security Deposit Question
Judge Judy asked Ms. Belotti about the security deposit.
She asked why it wasn't returned.
Ms. Belotti said she didn't know he wasn't moving in until that day.
Judge Judy clarified the purpose of a security deposit.
It is for damages.
It is not for rent.
Mr. Garcia never moved in.
Therefore, he couldn't have caused any damage.
Ms. Belotti had no clear reason for not returning it.
Judge Judy stated that Ms. Belotti lost a month's rent.
However, she did not lose any security deposit.
There were no damages to repair.
The Missing Text Message
Judge Judy asked to see the text message again.
Mr. Garcia claimed it was on "tab number 8."
He said it mentioned Ms. Belotti would give the money back.
The text message shown read: "Gabe, you may be in luck.
I think I have a girl that might want it, and I'll keep you posted."
Judge Judy pointed out that this text did not say she would give the money back.
Mr. Garcia insisted there was a text.
He said it mentioned three people coming.
He claimed she would give it back if she rented it.
Judge Judy reiterated that the text did not say that.
The Verdict
Mr. Garcia was entitled to his security deposit back.
He was not entitled to the rent back.
Ms. Belotti couldn't rent the apartment.
Mr. Garcia changed his mind five days before moving in.
He could have moved in earlier.
Ms. Belotti was holding the apartment for him.
Judgment was for the plaintiff.
The amount was $700.
Watch the Full Judge Judy Case Below
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Witness Judge Judy's sharp questioning.
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FULL VIDEO
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