Landlord and Security Deposit Question

[catperson87]

On April 1st, I moved out of an apartment at 48th and Pine. I transferred to an apartment that was managed by the same company. 30 days pass with no list of damages OR a check for the security deposit of $625. 45 days pass, 60 days pass. Finally, I emailed my old property manager and requested that the full security deposit be put toward July rent (as had been discussed prior to move out) as I had not received a list of damages. (To be noted, I had transferred from a 3 bedroom apartment from the same company to move into that place and neither me, nor my 2 roommates, ever received a damages report from the 3 bedroom.)

The manager, who normally evades any sort of communication with tenants, emailed me right back saying that she had mailed me a move out report on April 29th and oh, had I not received it? She told me that the floors had to be replaced due to pet odor, which seems fishy to me that the entire floor of a one bedroom apt had to be replaced but whatever. I emailed her back, asking if she had sent it certified and therefor would have proof that she sent it. I'm waiting on a response.

Am I still entitled to get my security deposit back despite her saying that she sent me a list. I genuinely do not believe that she sent me anything, as she has proven to be less than trust worthy (namely, I caught her entering my apartment without any prior notice). I find it suspicious that this one piece of mail got lost when I have been receiving all my other mail just fine.

I've had headaches with this company from day one but the rent has been the right price and the pet policy is great so I foolishly decided to stick it out with them. FYI: It's Signature Community, so anyone looking to rent, I'd advise looking elsewhere.

[longtimephilly]

Did you sign a physical lease? And do you have a copy?

I put this part in all my lease agreements:

Said deposit may be applied by the Landlord toward reimbursement for any cost incurred because of Tenant’s violation of the rental agreement, including nonpayment of rent and/or any utilities for which Tenant is responsible. If, after the completion of the final inspection of the premises by Landlord, there is no further cleaning required, no unpaid rent, no damages to the unit and Tenant can prove to the Landlord that all utilities are paid, Landlord will return the entire amount of the security deposit to Tenant within 30 days. Landlord shall inspect the Premises within 5 business days after Tenant vacates and shall give Tenant a written statement of needed repairs and the estimated cost thereof. Tenant shall be responsible only for damage beyond normal wear and tear and for returning the rental unit to a condition of cleanliness similar to its condition when Tenant moved in.

Her needing to replace an entire floor sounds like BS to me and I doubt that it took her a month to inspect the apartment before 'sending' you a notice.

[catperson87]

I had a lease signed but I'm not sure if I kept a copy of that one after I signed the lease for my current place. In any case, it's the same terms as my current lease and she should have a copy of the old one.

I'm not at all shocked that they are trying to run away with my deposit but it's so frustrating