My 16yr old daughter & I have lived in my apt for 5 yrs. (the apts were built in 1962). There's mold on all window edges which is usually clean with bleach solution. Last week I found two mushrooms growing through the grout in the tile. Shocking discovery. I informed the apt manager immediately. She informed me that they would be tearing out the wall, let it dry, etc. and I wouldn't be able to use my shower for approx a week. So, she gave me a key to a vacant apt to use the shower until mine is fixed. The bathroom is in my bedroom. After they tore the wall off I took several pictures but did not see more mushrooms. It's rotten inside, very damp & mold everywhere. I've heard it's unhealthy & I have been having problems breathing lately. I asked the manager if I could move into another apt as I don't feel safe here now. Also because we are downstairs & there are tenant complaints of a "peeper" lately. Two times in the past year someone was trying to look in my daughter's window, the police were called etc. the person never caught. Another reason why I'd rather live upstairs. My manager called today and found another apt for me to move into, but they want another security deposit for me to move there. First of all, they have a double deposit already from me from when I moved in (over $1100). Second, I am moving not by choice, but because of the mold issue & the peeper. I have been very understanding about this entire situation, but I cannot afford another $650 deposit because I need to change apts. Can they actually make me pay $650 again to move upstairs? It is a "mold" or "mushroom" issue as well. If I paid again they would have over $1750 total held for deposit. That's ridiculous, it does not seem fair. Is there something I can say to them to avoid paying?

If they want you to give another deposit, I would imagine they would give you a new tenancy on the new apt. In which case they would have to hand back the deposit for the old apartment.