Calvin Kemp TJK Properties Misuse of security deposit Clearwater Florida
I rented a house from Calvin Kemp and put down the required security deposit of $1,500. Things went well for most of the time while living in the house. All of that changed when it was time to move out. It was my last day living at the property and I had rented a large moving truck for my things. It was raining out and visibility was low. While backing the truck into my driveway, I clipped the mailbox post and knocked my mailbox, and an adjacent one from thier post. The mailboxes were not crushed, destroyed, etc. and the post was perfectly intact.
This was my mistake and a dumb one at that - i fully understood that. I immediately let Calvin Kemp know and apologized; letting him know that I realized I'd have to pay for repairs with the aforementioned deposit. When all was said and done about 2 months later, I recieved my deposit back less $630 to "repair" the mailbox. There were no other items included in this charge - this was a man seriously taking $630 from me to reattach two, very basic mailboxes to their post. Everything else in the house was pristine; equal to or cleaner than when we moved in.
I let Calvin Kemp know that this was completely unfair and I knew he was taking advantage of me. He responded with a very angry (superfluous CAPS LOCK) and defensive letter. Unless he bought brand new, 24k gold mailboxes, he stole this money out of my deposit. Sadly, the cost and time of getting an attorney and going to court just didn't make sense. After this ordeal, I did some more research and discovered he has an extremely sketchy past. Please take caution and do research on this man before you trust him with your money and time. I wish I had.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Sean
Tampa,Florida,
Additional information
#3Author of original report
Tue, July 15, 2014
To clarify what Calvin clearly omitted for his benefit, the priceless mailboxes in question were not destroyed or even remotely irreparable. The front door had a small dent and of course the screws holding them to the post were broken.
When I last spoke to Calvin, I was under the impression the mailboxes would be repaired by a company and I would foot the bill for that repair. He even sent me the website of the company. Right on their website it says that they do repairs. What should it cost to repair two, very basic mailboxes? Let's be generous and say $300 - that's what I expected.
As it turns out, Calvin took the old mailboxes so that he could use them for other rental properties. He then used my money to buy new ones and saved himself a couple hundred dollars. I called the company who furnished the new mailboxes, and they informed me that Calvin Kemp made absolutely no request to fix the mailboxes and just wanted to buy new ones. I discovered this after Calvin assured me that the company told him the boxes could not be repaired.
P.S. I was not referring to your required-by-law letter that you included with the remainder of my deposit. I'm talking about the defensive email that you sent after you realized that I figured out what you were doing. I'd be happy to post it for you if you've forgotten.
Calvin
Clearwater,Florida,
Sean Miller’s Report is false, defamatory and slanderous.
#3REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, July 15, 2014
Sean Miller rented a house in 2013 owned by a Landlord which I managed and he put down a security deposit of $1100. On or about April 11, 2014 he phoned to inform me he had backed his moving truck into two mailboxes and broke them each off their posts. He apologized and instructed me to subtract the cost off the security deposit.
When I go to the property I see the 2 mailboxes laying on the grass. Upon inspection I see each mailbox is screwed onto a metal bracket and then that bracket is bolted onto the post. Both brackets were busted off the post and both mailboxes were damaged and because of such both these residences were not receiving their mail delivery.
It became evident that Sean had no intent to return to the property to fix the problem so now the burden fell upon me. The mailbox, the metal bracket and the house numbers on the brackets were unique or customized to meet the deed restrictions of the community so this was something that could not be bought at a building store. Therefore the company that originally installed the mailboxes for the subdivision had to be used.
To replace and install new brackets, mailboxes and house numbers the company charged $625.95 and a copy of their Sales Order was sent to Sean on April 29, 2014. Hence this same exact amount was deducted off the security deposit and the balance of the deposit was returned to Sean via USPS registered mail dated May 8, 2014.
As far as the “very angry (superfluous CAPS LOCK) and defensive letter” my guess he is referring to the Florida Claim on Security Deposit form which states:
THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE LANDLORD'S INTENTION TO IMPOSE A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES UPON YOUR SECURITY DEPOSITAS INDICATED BELOW, IT IS SENT TO YOU AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 83.49(3), FLORIDA STATUTES. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU MUST OBJECT IN WRITING TO THIS DEDUCTION FROM YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM THE TIME YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTICE OR THE LANDLORD WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO DEDUCT ITS CLAIM FROM YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT. YOUR OBJECTION MUST BE SENT TO THE LANDLORD AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN BELOW.
By the way no written objection for any claim by the tenant was ever received by the Landlord as instructed above.
Sincerely
C Kemp