Bottom Line: I Sued Rentomatic and Won
I sued Rentomatic for illegitimately withholding my security deposit. Their communication is sub-par (likely due to a language barrier and overseas operations), and I found them to be uncooperative. Whether you are a renter or a property owner, avoid Rentomatic at all costs. (For owners: I had a great experience with Nestwell as a renter).
I was originally with Nestwell until the owner switched to Rentomatic. At the end of my lease, I followed their process, providing my forwarding address and direct deposit info. I attended the final walkthrough with Yatharth Choube, who showed up 50 minutes late to a weeks-old appointment. He took photos but disclosed zero expected charges. Upon moving out, my portal access was deleted within days.
After 30+ days elapsed with no deposit or contact, I sent a formal "Notice to Return Deposit" via USPS certified mail to the address on their website. It was returned as undeliverable. I eventually had to hand-deliver the notice to the property owner to pass it on. When a partial deposit finally arrived, it lacked receipts--a direct violation of Utah Code.
They deducted $490 for: "deep cleaning" ($200), "carpet cleaning" ($80), and "touch-up, paint & caulking" ($210), with zero explanation. We had cleaned the unit thoroughly, and the lease even allowed 10 holes per wall (we were well below that).
Communication was a nightmare. While Tim and Summer are US-based, the primary contact, Harsha, operates from India. Other representatives include Sam, Abraham, Sushil Dosi (co-owner), and Madhu Chengat (co-owner), all of which had Indian accents. The language barrier led to constant misunderstandings. I was even blocked from calling Madhu's number (full voicemail), only getting through by using *67.
When I tried to discuss charges in person, I found their listed addresses were misleading:
* 9565 S 700 E #201: Located above "Lumina Vision"; the office was closed/rarely staffed.
* 1207 E Gaylene Cir: This is a residential home occupied by another renter, not a business office. When I called from the driveway after visiting both addresses, Sam went silent for three minutes and then hung up on me.
I filed in Small Claims Court and employed Constable Silvan Warnick. Service was difficult; the Constable attempted to serve Madhu Chengat (Registered Agent) at the business' registered address on Utah's government website (14252 S Dawson Hills Cir). Madhu's wife initially cooperated, but then Madhu claimed over the phone he "didn't know" who I was and told the Constable never to return. Rentomatic later tried to settle to avoid court costs but refused to cover the legal/filing fees they had forced me to incur.
At the hearing, the Judge ruled in my favor. Because Rentomatic had not designated any portion of the deposit as "non-refundable" in the lease, they were not permitted to charge for items deemed typical wear and tear. I recovered:
1. The full $490 withheld.
2. A $100 civil penalty for failing to return the deposit within the legal timeframe.
3. All filing and service costs.
Takeaways for Renters:
1. Document Everything: Take detailed photos/videos during the final walkthrough.
2. Final Sign-off: Ask the rep to sign a statement during the walkthrough detailing any expected charges before you hand over keys.
3. Know Utah Code 57-17: If 30 days pass without your deposit or an itemized list, submit the "Notice to Return Deposit."
4. Wear and Tear: You are not responsible for standard cleaning/minor scuffs unless the lease explicitly lists a "non-refundable" fee.
Rentomatic is not an easy business to deal with. Do not let them keep your money--if they stop responding, hold them accountable in court. Thanks for reading and good luck. read more