landlord trying to rip me off in pa

[jim1978]

i rented a house w/1yr lease paid $600 deposit 5 months later my landlord asked if i wanted to move to his other rental property i agreed he said my deposit would transfer to the new house then when i moved out of the new house 3yrs later he said he had to use my deposit to fix stuff in the first house (we didn't do anything to the house) now for the last 5 months since i moved he has been calling and showing up at my new house wanting money theatening to sue he says i owe him $1075 (which is a crazy estimate for the few things we damaged)for damages to the 2nd house do you think i could win if he sues me? i've already paid him $350 because he works for the city and is friends with all the cops and magistrate and i don't think it would be fair.i really don't have the money and could use some advice.thanks

[budlighthooker]

I would start by obtaining an itimized list of what repairs were done to the house.
Did you do a walk through and check in / out sheet as you moved in or out. You can compate thoses to the itimized list to try and dispute any of the damages.

[elklaw]

Ask for an itemized list of what was done or needed to be done for the first house and the second house.
Thsi is sounding like a shakedown to me. Let him take you to small claims court over this. I doubt you did anything to the first house but damages happen as an incidence of living in a place, but for damages to that extent, I suggest making them prove to you what waas done and also there should be an accounting made to you of how the deposit was used.