Landlord won't return deposit

[Sinophile]

Hi Guyz,

I have a landlord who has not returned my deposit. Because I moved to a town several hours away, I am unable to file a claim against him in small claims court. He does not return my phone calls, and has only sent one three-worded e-mail simply stating, "bankruptcy and foreclosure". I myself really need the money, are there any other legal remedies to obtain my deposit?

 

I feel that I am especially entitled to the deposit because of the circumstances at which I was forced to leave; The landlord used some coercive tactics in order to get me to leave without him having to file an eviction notice. He claimed that some of the roommates complained about me, that I was a "pervert", and that I had urinated other people's food(he rented out individual rooms instead of the whole home, which was technically illegal as he himself did not live there). He also went into my room without permission, and discovered my miniature fridge. He claimed my fridge was a breach of contract, although I needed the fridge because the one in the kitchen was too small to accommodate 4 people in a 3 bedroom household. I told him that I would look for another place on Craigslist. He then said that I needed to move out TONIGHT, or that the police would arrest me on false charges. Coincidentally, this was a week after he forgot to pay the water bill( temperarily leaving the home without water). I had a quick talk with my female roommate, who had told me that the person who called me a pervert did not pay her rent for the month. He has not contacted me since, but had harrassed me in subtle ways, such as throttling my internet traffic.

[Illiad86]

The only thing you can really do is file a claim and have your roommates as witnesses to tell you story. You were illegally evicted. He cannot enter your space without permission as well too. But was the fridge a breach of the lease?

 

I'd keep those e-mails as well...especially if they are nasty for the judge to see.

[Sinophile]

As I've said, I live in another state now, so that is not an option. Also, I am not on speaking terms with any of the roommates. One was a former student of the landlord's, who would take pictures of other people's hair in the drain, and send them to the landlord. One accused me of being a pervert(looking through her window or some crap, which I wouldn't do because she is fat and old), the other I was friends with, but is an alcoholic with issues.

Also, I was never evicted, I left voluntarily, and pointed out that it was unfair that I got caught up in the financial problems of him and his roommate.

[bben46]

You may want to take this to a legal web site for better advice.

[Sinophile]

You may want to take this to a legal web site for better advice.

probably

[Aurielius]

You might want to visit this site. http://www.rentlaw.com/

[DarkNinja13]

Hi Guyz,

I have a landlord who has not returned my deposit. Because I moved to a town several hours away, I am unable to file a claim against him in small claims court. He does not return my phone calls, and has only sent one three-worded e-mail simply stating, "bankruptcy and foreclosure". I myself really need the money, are there any other legal remedies to obtain my deposit?

 

I feel that I am especially entitled to the deposit because of the circumstances at which I was forced to leave; The landlord used some coercive tactics in order to get me to leave without him having to file an eviction notice. He claimed that some of the roommates complained about me, that I was a "pervert", and that I had urinated other people's food(he rented out individual rooms instead of the whole home, which was technically illegal as he himself did not live there). He also went into my room without permission, and discovered my miniature fridge. He claimed my fridge was a breach of contract, although I needed the fridge because the one in the kitchen was too small to accommodate 4 people in a 3 bedroom household. I told him that I would look for another place on Craigslist. He then said that I needed to move out TONIGHT, or that the police would arrest me on false charges. Coincidentally, this was a week after he forgot to pay the water bill( temperarily leaving the home without water). I had a quick talk with my female roommate, who had told me that the person who called me a pervert did not pay her rent for the month. He has not contacted me since, but had harrassed me in subtle ways, such as throttling my internet traffic.

 

Another thing you can do is turn him in to the various government offices in the city you left. This can be Human Services, Child Welfare Agency (if any tennants had kids), Health Dept. and so forth. I hate to say it, but you will probably never get your deposit back - but you CAN make that jerk's life miserable. :ninja: