My landlord deducted $200 from my security deposit because he claims I damaged microwave by running it empty. I had contacted the landlord and told him it was damaged when I ran it with or without anything in it. After it started sparking with food in it, I took food out and ran for a few seconds to see if it was still sparking and it was. I did that to see if perhaps there was a problem with the plate. Now he is saying I misused and damaged it.


I went to Sears Repair showing them pictures of inside microwave and they said that this is normal wear and tear and I could not have damaged it. They also said is was magnatron going bad and it was repairable.

Not only is landlord trying to take advantage of me, he's using my money to buy a brand new microwave for his unit.

Is it possible for me to damage a microwave by running it for a few seconds with nothing in it? This was AFTER the microwave was malfunctioning with food in it?

I am planning to take him to small claims court.

worked on microwaves for 30 years. you did not damage the microwave. it would have to run several minutes to cause a problem and then it would probably trip the mag tube fuse or possibly the main fuse. interiors of microwaves can develop a condition called loading. it is usually in corners or where the paint is coming off. just normal wear. the only way to damage would be to cook several minutes with nothing in it or cook with metal in it. should kick fuses even then