I originally posted this in "Small Claims", then couldn't figure out how to delete it from there as I feel it's better in "Real Estate Law" (I'm new, and posted quickly, am seeing now that Real Estate Law is probably where it should go.) Sorry for any inconvenience!

QUICK FACTS:

Landlord lives in BC
Rental house was in Calgary, AB
I now live in Ontario (moved over two months ago)

I rented the house in Calgary for 2.5 years, and managed the downstairs rental suite after landlord moved to BC (managed it for over a year) at no charge to landlord really, just that she wouldn't raise the rent AGAIN. All the bills (electric, water, etc.) were in my name. The only thing separate between suites were phone and cable.

December; previous tenants of bsmt suite pulled a midnight move, leaving much to clean and outstanding rent and bills.
January; suite was empty - landlord noted she would pay have of heating bill only.
February; new tenants moved in.

I left the province at the end of Feb, forwarding my mail to my new home. I got the bills for Feb. paid them.

I sent landlord an email, with an Excel spreadsheet detailing all the bills from December through February, as well as attached ALL the bills. I asked that she forward me my security deposit, plus what is owed from the bills (equaling over 1200$). I just received an email interac transfer of 650$, with a note (quote):

"sending 650 let me go over the bills for a few days and if there is more i will get it to you"

UM IF THERE IS MORE??

COMMENTS:
This landlord is mean, cheap, and rude. I've watched landlord treat other tenants terribly, and rip them off. I know what landlord is capable of, and sincerely distrust I will ever see another dime out of landlord.

I did MUCH extra work for them, and never complained. Was easier to just do it, and not incur wrath of landlord. Trust me.

QUESTIONS:
1) I accepted the 650$, does that make my case weaker if I go to small claims court?
2) If I decide to file for small claims court, do I file here (Ontario) or Calgary?
3) Can anyone suggest how to deal with this person?

Someone, please help me.
I can upload the Excel spreadsheet if anyone needs to see it...

Thanking you in advance,
Cheriecalgary

First, use the Report Inappropriate Post link if you would like your thread moved. I eliminated the other thread for you.

What is not clear here is what the bills you submitted represent. Are you saying that they represent the other unit's share of the utilities? Was there an agreement as to how the utilities would be shared?

No I don't think accepting the $650 will hurt you especially since the landlord indicated that she needed time to go over the bills.

I think you may need to file where the apartment is.

I am not convinced this person is ripping you off yet. Without understanding what you were asking for reimbursement for, it seems to me that they were being reasonable by forwarding you an initial payment rather then waiting to analyze the data.

The bills are for the downstairs tenants, who did not pay their portion of the hydro, gas, etc. The landlord requested I put the bills in my name (and I did), but the one set moved out of country while I was out of town (should I be responsible for their non-payment?) and the rest of the bills came in after I moved out (the current downstairs tenant should reimburse her for these I'd think?).

All along she said she would pay the heat downstairs if no one was living there.

My believe is the unpaid bills (the portion owed by the downstairs tenants that was unpaid) should come out of their security deposit (which she kept when they skipped town).

No?

Thanks!
And thanks for fixing the incorrect post.
:)

Oh, and there was no real agreement regarding the bills.
Also, the rental law states the owner/manager is to give the tenant their security deposit back within 10 days. It has been two months.
I state she's ripping me off, because I suspected all along she would.