FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Plaintiff's Claims
Shania Nora, a 22-year-old former tenant, brought a lawsuit against her former landlord, Melody Johnson.
Ms. Nora sought the return of her security deposit.
She also claimed the value of personal belongings.
Additionally, she alleged an illegal eviction.
Ms. Nora stated that after issues arose, Ms. Johnson told her to leave without proper notice.
She specifically mentioned her purse, wallet, and shoes as items she believed Ms. Johnson still possessed.
The Defendant's Counterclaim
Melody Johnson, the defendant, filed a counterclaim.
Her counterclaim was for unpaid rent.
She also included a claim for emotional distress.
Judge Judy quickly dismissed the emotional distress claim.
Judge Judy stated she does not deal with emotional distress claims.
The Rental Agreement Begins
Ms. Nora rented a room from Melody Johnson.
The rental began on October 7, 2018.
Ms. Nora stated she paid $1150 prior to moving in.
This payment included her first and last month's rent.
She also paid a $500 security deposit.
Her stated monthly rent was $650.
The Tenant's Departure
Ms. Nora moved out of the room on January 16, 2019.
She claimed her landlord wanted her to leave.
Ms. Nora stated Ms. Johnson's reason was that she wanted to go to Vegas.
Ms. Johnson allegedly did not want Ms. Nora in the house alone.
Rent Payments and Disputes
Ms. Nora testified she paid rent for November.
She also stated she paid rent for December.
For January, Ms. Nora admitted she did not pay the full rent.
She only gave Ms. Johnson $40 for a utility bill.
Ms. Nora intended to pay the rest of the January rent later.
Melody Johnson disputed the rent amount.
Ms. Johnson claimed Ms. Nora's rent was $575 per month.
She also stated Ms. Nora was always late with payments.
Ms. Johnson asserted that Ms. Nora did not pay rent for January.
The "Friend" or "Boyfriend" Issue
Judge Judy asked Ms. Nora about a "boyfriend" who was "a little crazy."
Ms. Nora denied having a boyfriend.
She clarified it was just a "friend."
Judge Judy pressed further, asking if it was a male friend.
Ms. Nora confirmed it was a male friend.
Judge Judy then stated, "That's a boyfriend."
She clarified she was not asking about the intimacy of their relationship.
Judge Judy asked if this friend ever caused any disturbances.
Ms. Nora denied any disturbances.
She claimed he was "barely there."
Ms. Nora said he came by only one time and then left.
Landlord's Account of the "Boyfriend"
Melody Johnson confirmed she knew this "boyfriend."
She described an incident involving Ms. Nora and her boyfriend.
Ms. Johnson mentioned "physical, arts, occasions, arguments."
She claimed he "almost killed her."
Ms. Johnson stated Ms. Nora "went tumbling off the car down the street."
Ms. Johnson then took Ms. Nora to the police station.
She did this to try to get help for Ms. Nora.
Plaintiff's Denial of Police Station Visit
Ms. Nora denied remembering being taken to the police station.
She claimed Ms. Johnson "just made up that story."
Judge Judy expressed skepticism about this denial.
She questioned why Ms. Johnson would invent such a story.
The Judge's Calculation of Rent
Judge Judy reviewed the rent payments.
Ms. Nora stated her rent was $650 a month.
She paid $1150 initially, which included first and last month's rent.
This meant $650 for the first month and $500 towards the last month.
Ms. Nora lived there for October, November, December, and half of January.
This totaled three and a half months.
She paid rent for November and December.
For January, she only paid $40 for utilities.
Therefore, Ms. Nora owed $325 for January's rent.
This was half of her stated $650 monthly rent.
Contradiction on Rent Amount
Melody Johnson disputed the $650 rent amount.
She claimed Ms. Nora paid $575 every month.
Ms. Johnson reiterated that Ms. Nora was always late.
Ms. Nora maintained her rent was $650.
Lack of Receipts
Ms. Nora claimed she asked for receipts for her cash payments.
She stated Melody Johnson refused to provide them.
Ms. Johnson countered that they "never dealt with receipts or anything."
She confirmed all payments were in cash.
The Police Report and Belongings
Judge Judy reviewed a police report.
The report was issued on February 14, 2019.
Ms. Johnson stated the police escorted Ms. Nora out.
She claimed Ms. Nora left with all her belongings.
Ms. Johnson also said Ms. Nora had a final walkthrough.
This walkthrough was to ensure she agreed everything was gone.
Ms. Johnson believed the walkthrough happened on January 15th or 16th.
Judge Judy asked Ms. Nora if she went into the house with the police.
She asked if Ms. Nora went through the house to take her belongings.
Ms. Nora confirmed she did.
She confirmed this happened on that date.
The Verdict
Judge Judy determined that Ms. Nora owed $325 for January's rent.
This amount was deducted from Ms. Nora's $500 security deposit.
Therefore, Melody Johnson owed Shania Nora $175.
The claim for the value of personal belongings was implicitly denied.
The claim for illegal eviction was also implicitly denied.