Problems with previous landlord...security deposit & possible harassment?

A couple of months ago, my old landlord stated that she was not going to renew our lease and asked for a forwarding address so that she could mail the security deposit back to us. We moved promptly without any issues and cleaned her rental house. She told us that she would renew our lease right after our toilet piping got clogged from baby wipes that were flushed down the toilet and got caught on the jagged interior of the piping. She told us in writing at least twice that she was going to return the deposit and never mentioned anything about us paying the plumbing bill. 5 weeks after the plumber came to do the job, and after we left her rental property, she mailed me a bill for the plumbing issue. She stated that I have to pay the bill of $900.00 and then at that point she would return the security deposit. I told her that I did not agree with the outrageous charges that the guy she hired charged, but she should just use the security deposit to pay him. I explained why I did not agree with his high labor charged and went on to explain why I did not believe that she was going to return my deposit even if I paid the guy.





She told me multiple times that she was going to return the deposit before I moved out and did not mention that she was going to hold my deposit because she felt I was responsible for the plumbing bill until after I moved out. I told her that I just don鈥檛 have $900 just sitting around to pay him and to just use my security deposit if she felt the need to have me be responsible for the bill. I told her that I just wanted our business to be done with and if she just used the security deposit to pay him, then we don鈥檛 need to deal with each other any more. I told her to leave me alone and just keep my deposit to pay him.





I don鈥檛 know if she just doesn鈥檛 get it or what but she sent me another letter explaining again how she wants me to pay and then she will return the deposit. She continues to play games and make things up as she goes. I have not responded to her most recent letter. I do not believe that she will return my deposit at this point because she already lied about returning it at least twice and has been manipulative ever since she asked us to move. She has been manipulative about several other things also.





What do I need to do to have her leave me alone? Is it considered harassment now that she has written me since I have already told her to leave me alone and to just keep my deposit? What if she continues to contact me? Should I repond to her....if so how should I respond? She has my money, we are out of her house, why does she continue to want to play games with me?|||The security deposit is for damages. The clog was of your doing, and hence a damage. The whole pay the bill and I'll return your deposit makes no sense whatsoever as it's extra legwork in exchanging money that doesn't need to be exchanged.





If the bill were in fact that high (and depending on the work, it could be), if it exceeded your deposit, she would need to simply bill you for the overage.





Sounds like she's trying to scam you. Have you fork the money for the bill and keep the deposit. If you respond to her, tell her you're done, if she wants the money to take you to court. If she's smart, she'll drop it right there. No judge is going think this woman is practicing proper business. He'll probably award her your security deposit, but it's there anyway, plus she'll have to produce a bill justifying the 900.|||How much was your security deposit? In all honesty this lady sounds like a total nut job. If you keep getting letters from her, send them back to her unopened. Even if you paid the plumber she would probably still keep your deposit.|||I wouldn't give her a penny, that's for certain...especially if your deposit is in that 900 dollar range...





What is likely going to happen is that she will take your money...and keep your deposit. And your only recourse is to take her to court over it...not something you need.





I'm curious how much the deposit is for...does it cover a 900 dollar bill? If it does, I would explain once more to her that she can use the deposit money, or she can leave you alone.





You may have to get firm with this crazy woman to get her off your case. Either way, it sounds to me like she's just trying to get more cash out of you. I doubt you will ever see that deposit again, no matter what you give her.