Any experience with a landlord-tenant dispute?

[hepcat]

I'm dealing with a dispute with a former landlord right now. The main sticking point was money withheld from the security deposit. The landlord lives in Washington, NC, and the property was managed by his son (property is in Asheville). We had a $900 deposit originally.

So there was damage to the basement door when we moved out (the glass was shattered in it and it was covered by a piece of plywood). This door was an original on the house built in 1967, and in poor condition to begin with, which likely caused the glass to shatter in the first place. I knew they would withhold something to repair it, so before we moved out, I had a discussion with my roommate about fixing it. We checked prices for replacement doors and called repairmen to get a quote. I called my landlord's son, who was managing the maintenance on the property and asked how much he would charge us to fix the door. He replied $80. We felt this was a fair deal and decided to forgo fixing the door with that deal in place.

Well a month later, I get the deposit back, and they withheld $80 for LABOR to fix the door, and bought a brand new steel core storm door (a MAJOR upgrade over the original door) WITH a brand new screen door. (they included a Lowe's receipt) Total cost - $350.

So when I saw this, I went back to my old house, knocked on the door, and asked the current tenants if I could take a picture of the back door. It was still in the same condition from when I moved out, so I contacted my landlord and told him I thought this was unfair. I tried to call him, but after leaving messages with no reply I had to email him. After the first very level headed and reasonable email went without reply, I told him I would call the local Housing Authority to come inspect the property (because the house is likely not up to code). He proceeded to threaten me with charges for trespassing (even though I asked permission from the tenants) and said if I took him to court he would "bill" me for other damages he didn't charge me for initially.

So we've basically had just bullpoo emails back in forth threatening each other. I'm considering taking him to court for the full amount of the deposit back (because I only received 1/3). I'm a busy guy and don't have time for this, and I don't really need the money. But it's the principal of the situation - being screwed by a shiesty landlord.

[charlotte49er]

File a claim in Small claims court. Costs $50. Take all your photos and any e-mails msgs/supporting documents you have with you.

You can file a claim with the BBB, but it really doesn't amount to anything.

Don't get mad, get even!

[Samuel L. Jackson]

become an arsonist

[Matt Foley]

Is Wapner still around?

[Darth Biscuit]

ST is right... only thing you can do is take him to small claims court... it'll cost you time and some money, make sure it's worth it.

[Doyle]

If the money isn't that important let it go. Life's to short. Let kharma take over. Or just back in the middle of the night and torch the place.