Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in District of Columbia

I am a Maryland resident and I rented out a room in the District of Columbia. I moved out 8/31/09. It has been about two months and my landlord hasn't returned my security deposit. I tried contacting her and she finally replied on 9/29/09. In her email she claimed that she didn't have my forwarding address, which by the way my permanent address is on the lease, including my email, she also has my cell phone number. Also in the email she had a list of deductions including a comforter set she claims is $100 that she also claims she never received.

If it is decided that she could assume my permanent address was not my forwarding address, is she responsible for at least trying to contact me within the 45 days to clear that up?

Also, I know you have 45 days to list deductions from the security deposit for damages, if it is decided that she has lost the right to make those deductions (it will right?), can she still receive payment for the comforter set, since it is not technically damage to the apartment?

The first day I moved in she asked for the comforter set and I put it in a bag outside my room door like she told me to, so she could pick it up that night. When it was gone I assumed she picked it up. She never told me about not receiving the comforter till I was about moving out, and I told her I didn't have it. And she never informed me of having to pay for anything till the email sent 9/29/09.

Am I responsible for the comforter set?

Do I have a good case, and will it cost me money to go to small claims court?

What action do I take now to get my full security deposit, and can I sue for more than my total deposit since its late?


Asked on 10/05/09, 12:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

If your security deposit is not returned, you should be able to sue your former landlord in either DC Small Claims and Reconciliation Court or the Landlord Tenant branch of the Civil Division of DC Superior Court.

The filing fee for small claims should be around $50.

It is unlikely that you'll be able to recover any damages for "lateness".

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Answered on 10/10/09, 9:12 am


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