A California tenant has filed a lawsuit against her former landlords, accusing them of unlawfully withholding her security deposit and causing emotional distress. Tiffany Gleason lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on January 6, 2025, against Abdul Wakil and Maliha Wakil. The case highlights ongoing issues tenants face with landlords regarding security deposits.
The complaint details how Gleason began renting a house from the Wakils in Thousand Oaks, California, around late 2022 or early 2023. She paid a $7,225 security deposit, which under California law remains the tenant's property unless properly deducted and itemized as per Civil Code § 1950.5. Despite a seemingly cordial relationship with Abdul Wakil during her tenancy—where he praised her upkeep of the property—the situation soured when Gleason vacated due to health concerns related to mold growth in the home. She alleges that despite promises to return her deposit and reimburse for mold inspection costs, the Wakils failed to do so.
Gleason accuses the defendants of bad-faith withholding of her deposit without providing an itemized breakdown or valid receipts as required by law. The complaint cites violations of several sections of California Civil Code § 1950.5, including failure to notify her about rights to an initial inspection and not returning the deposit within 21 days after vacating the premises. The plaintiff claims this continued retention constitutes theft under Penal Code § 496(a), entitling her to treble damages and attorney's fees.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief: actual damages for the withheld deposit amounting to $7,225; statutory damages up to twice that amount for bad-faith retention; treble damages under Penal Code § 496(c) if found guilty of theft; compensation for emotional distress; punitive damages; attorneys' fees; and pre- and post-judgment interest.
Representing Tiffany Gleason is attorney Andre Verdun from The Law Offices of Andre L. Verdun. The case ID is 2025CUBTOS35952, filed in front of Judge Hannah Cressy at Ventura Superior Court.