What do i do about the situation with my old landlord and security deposit?

[dana]

On Jan 31, 2011 I handed my old landlord the keys to the property we were renting. We asked him if he could go through the house with us and the answer was no thats ok my wife and i will be going through the place. We had the house extremely clean when we left. We had to fix some spots here and there on the walls bcuz the dry wall he had up was so thin that every little bump caused a little damage but we did fix it. There was also a hole in the bathroom door so we went and bought a whole new door. We took it the same day he was there to meet us and get the keys. My husband said he was going up to hang it and the landlord said that he could take care of it. We live in Pa and I know a landlord is supposed to send a list of damages and any security deposit owed. We heard nothing from them in writting or by phone so my husband called them on March 2nd. They never called back so I sent a certified letter to them yesterday requesting the full amount of the deposit within 10 days bcuz their 30 days were up at that point. Today, we get the mail and there is a letter from them not even certified or signed for that matter. The letter states this "Labor and materials to spackle, paint, repair doors, prime doors, paint doors, hang bathroom door. Dispose of furniture let on por cost us $1500.00. I am a contractor so I charge my labor rate for all my work. Also clean up heating oil spilled on basement floor. thank you "
this is the whole letter. At this point I'm not sure what to do. I am in Pennsylvania and I was reading the laws but am a little confused by some things. I need some suggestions to help me move in the right direction. I didn't think they can charge for painting and besides that they had the flastest flat paint on the walls that you could ever get. HELP PLEASE!!!

[jaren12]

Follow procedure, and take him to small claims court. Unfortunately, unless you took photographs -- or unless he has a track record of doing this to other people that you can verify, it will be your word against his.


I had someone do this to me, but only took $500.00 that she was not entitled to. This is very standard practice, and many people have had this happen to them. This is why you need to document the condition of the apartment, preferably with a witness, when you move.