HELP! Old landlord is avoiding us and won't give us money he owes us

[Megan Turnidge]

WHAT do I do?! I definitely cannot afford a lawyer or have a friend who is a lawyer who can help. I've tried finding a renter's advocate group or something along those lines here in AZ (as suggested by my dad) but I'm finding nothing. I'm desperate. We NEED him to refund the money he owes us because we owe our new landlord a deposit and we told him we'd pay it as soon as we received this refund.

What should we do?

[lovely1m]

Ugh, I tried when an old landlord ripped me off, too, but never found anything. Just lost my money, so good luck! I don't think it costs much or you need a lawyer for small claims court though.

[MamaBee]

Agree with Mari... in Wisconsin you don't need a lawyer to go through small claims court (according to my hubby). Have you called the court house? Do you have a housing authority in your city? They maybe able to give you some ideas...

Good luck... was a jerk!

[Traci Reed]

Judge Judy!

[Teresa]

I had to take a landlord to small claims court several years ago, sadly that's probably the only way you'll get your money back if he's ignoring you. Doesn't cost a lot (or didn't in MD), but it took a LONG time to get my money back even after I won the case and the whole process stressed me out...only got it when she tried to refinance her home and couldn't until she paid me!

[carriesmom]

First, here is the Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Act Here: http://www.azsos.gov/public_services...esidential.pdf

This may help you figure out exactly what your remedies are.

Second, try calling Community Legal Services. They are free/low cost legal services in Arizona. They may not take your case but they can guide you.

Send a demand letter for your money. Cite the statutes (should be in that document). Then you can sue.

Small Claims is for up $2500.

But that ARLTA will spell out your rights.

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Judge Judy!

lol!

[Sharon Kay]

Would Better Business bureau be able to help???

...or sometimes TV stations have something like a Call for Action ... and they can get the person to cough up the $$ because he/she doesn't want to be on TV ...

Good luck!

[crecia27]

We (myself and 2 roommates) had this issue. We found a lawyer that would wait for payment for the settlement. We could prove we'd sent certified mail demanding payment and she had refused to sign for it. We went to court and she had to pay us 3 times the deposit, court costs + $100 ( NO idea what that was for). Unfortunately it did take quite a few months. Have you send a demand letter via certified/return receipt?

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by crecia27

Have you send a demand letter via certified/return receipt?

I will as soon as I can actually get his mailing address.

[lauren grier]

I've never. in 10 years of apartment living.. successfully gotten a deposit back. :| I wish you luck chickie.