Hi, I recently moved out of a coop apartment in DC after 3 months (well, technically 4, I paid rent on the 4th month even though I didn't live there). The neighborhood just was not very safe--the front security door was broken at least twice when someone tried to break in. My lease (yes, I still have a copy) does not stipulate dates for a year lease, and I did give 30-days notice for move-out, but it is now after 45 days and I haven't received my security deposit back or any notification of why it isn't returned. I'm certain the apartment was left in excellent condition because I hired someone to do the moveout cleaning and patched any nail holes (including the ones that were there when I moved in). Does anyone have any experience with this? Is that legal to not return the deposit? I know the owner has re-rented the apartment already, so it's not vacant, for what that's worth. Thanks in advance for any advice.

If your lease did not specify an expiration date then you were a periodic tenant. At the top of this forum are links to state laws pertianing to landlord/tenant relations. See if there is a link to DC and check the rules on return of the security. If they are past the date specified by law, then sue them for the amount.

Have you called your former landlord? Before you get into the business of courts and suing people, give them a call and see what the hold up is. Once you've done that and you still don't see the money back, proceed to court.