I moved out of a house I was renting right at 1 month and 3 weeks ago. At the time I moved out there was nothing needed to be done. I asked to move out early because I was starting school and wanted to make sure I was financially secure. The lanlord had no problem with it as long as we could find some one to move in right after us. It worked out perfect. There was a couple with a baby on the way that came to him. They loved the house and wanted to move in immediately. I had painted my daughters room with permission. The couple wanted the room to stay the same. On the day we agreed to a date to be out and them be in this was still the same. No problems. The landlord even offered to give my deposit back for the house being in great shape and being able to save him money be being out in such short notice. We moved out and on the last day he stopped by and checked out the house again. Everything was still the same. He said he would get with us at the end of the week to settle up with deposit. The day came we met and he sid that he wasn't for sure that the couple was going to work out for reasons of his choosing. I told him I would be more than willing to repaint the room since he was kind enough to give us our deposit back, but I wanted to do it the next couple of days before I started school. I called him the next day and a few days later but he never returned my calls. I have phone records to show this. He then calls me almost two months later wanting me to paint that room of his. I said I would still do it . Then he said We owed him for cleaning the carpet. It was something that he always does but forgot to tell us this entire two months. I told him that I would paint the room but I didn't feel right paying him for a service he already had done and it being two months later I had no idea who was in the house or what work was being done. He then got mad and said he woulfd just take care of everything. He has since slandered my name locally, harassed me at school, and then he had small claim courts sewrved at my school double the cost of what he originally said it cost him. I have to go to court in two weeks. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice or tell me if he has a case or is he just trying to make money. He has been well known to be a very big crook in business and his past business that he was forced to shut down. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT THANKS. BLUE SHEARER KY

Did he return all or part of your security deposit? If he gave you your money and you can prove it you are off the hook. You don't need to paint the room or pay for the carpet cleaning. The couple with the bay, did they stay on or did the place become vacant? The LL is not obligated to rent to them or anyone else. The tenant must meet with his approval unless he is discriminating againist them in some fashion. Once you are served you must appear but bring proof of the returned deposit.

I don't think you have a thing to worry about. You need to assemble your documentation (returned deposit, pictures of the house when you moved out, etc.) Prepare a time line showing each significant event. Then go to court and present the same story you just told us.

Did the landlord give you the deposit back?