FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS VERBAL WALKTHROUGH DID NOT IMPRESS JUDGE JUDY!
A Security Deposit Dispute Lands in Court
Imagine trying to explain a "verbal walkthrough" to Judge Judy.
That is exactly what happened in this courtroom.
The Plaintiffs Seek Their Security Deposit
Stephen Shuler and Christopher Depew are the plaintiffs.
They rented a house from Lisa Travisano.
Lisa Travisano is the defendant.
The plaintiffs are suing for the return of their security deposit.
They are requesting $1789.
The Lease and the Move-Out
Mr. Shuler confirms they had a lease for about 13 months.
They stayed for the duration of the lease.
They paid their rent.
They moved out on June 30th of this year.
The "Verbal Walkthrough"
Judge Judy asks if Miss Travisano did a walkthrough with them.
Mr. Shuler says yes, it was a "verbal walkthrough."
Judge Judy asks what a verbal walkthrough is.
Mr. Shuler explains there was no checklist.
He confirms Miss Travisano walked through the house with them on the 30th.
Miss Travisano confirms this date.
The Missing Photos
Judge Judy asks Miss Travisano if she took any photographs on the 30th.
Miss Travisano says no.
She explains she took photos on the first of the next month.
Judge Judy asks why.
Miss Travisano states there was no electricity in the house.
She also says her iPad was dead during the walkthrough.
She was waiting to go back and take photos after they left.
Judge Judy Explains a Proper Walkthrough
Judge Judy tells Miss Travisano this is a problem.
She explains that a walkthrough is for the day of departure.
It should happen immediately before or on that day.
The landlord usually goes through with a checklist.
They point out issues.
This gives tenants a chance to respond.
They can say if things were that way when they rented the house.
Cleaning and Partial Return
Judge Judy notes that boxes and belongings were still there during the walkthrough.
She asks if Miss Travisano is complaining about that.
Miss Travisano says no.
She states the cleaning was not done yet.
Miss Travisano says she has photos from the 30th.
Judge Judy says she sees the photos anyway.
She asks how much of the security deposit was returned.
Miss Travisano returned $1,135.
Judge Judy asks how much was kept.
Miss Travisano kept $1,789.85.
Judge Judy asks if Miss Travisano served them with a letter.
The letter should indicate why she kept the money.
Miss Travisano says yes.
The Fire Pit Dispute
Judge Judy wants to see the fire pit.
She asks Miss Travisano what she said about the fire pit during the walkthrough.
Miss Travisano claims she told them it wasn't there when they moved in.
She says they responded that it was not an active fire pit.
Miss Travisano claims she pointed out wood and cardboard in the fire pit.
She states she did not put it there.
She says they had no permission for it.
Judge Judy's Disbelief
Judge Judy asks Mr. Shuler if Miss Travisano said that to him.
Mr. Shuler says he does not recall that at all.
He states if she had shown displeasure, they would have removed the bricks.
Judge Judy interjects.
She says, "I don't believe her.
Don't believe her.
I don't believe her."
She repeats that she does not believe Miss Travisano said that.
Judge Judy calls the situation "nonsense."
The Fire Pit's Simplicity
Judge Judy confirms the fire pit in the photo is what they are discussing.
Mr. Shuler reiterates he would have easily taken the bricks away.
He would have filled the dirt back in the hole.
He says it would have taken five minutes.
Judge Judy agrees.
She states that any rental place requires cleanup.
Competing Photographs
Judge Judy asks Miss Travisano to look at the plaintiffs' photographs.
These photos were taken the day before they moved out.
Miss Travisano asks to show her own pictures.
Judge Judy agrees to look at her pictures.
The Unauthorized Tenants Claim
Miss Travisano raises another point.
She states the lease allowed only three tenants.
She claims other people were living in the house.
Mr. Shuler denies this.
He says, "That's not true."
Watch the Full Judge Judy Case Below
See how Judge Judy handles the conflicting stories.
Witness the moment she loses patience.
Scroll down.
Press play.
FULL VIDEO
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPfIOTGwfQY
