Landlord cross complaint

[JAsh]

What is the name of your state? Pa

Hello All, I would like to thank everyone in advane for any help.

I moved out of my last residence after about 9 months of occupancy. There was a bi-monthly lease with a $1600 security deposit. Upon moving out I went to My landlords house to give him our new address, but he was on vacation so I told his son in law to contact me when he returned. After 3 weeks without hearing from him I sent a certified letter with our new address and a request for the deposit or a list/estimate for repairs. After another 3 weeks, I proceeded to file a claim with the local court house. Now I have recieved a counter claim for $5000 for minor repairs.
- smoke detectors
-scratched door
-damaged wall
-broken window
-broken washer/dryer
-missing set of keys
Let me explain some of these; The damged wall is just dirt from going up and down the stairs, the broken window is a small old-fashion window maybe 8in x 8in
The washer and dryer are very old and we didn't even use them we had our own. and can he really charge me to change the locks becasue I didn't have all the keys even though he had his own set?
One more thing, His new tenants moved in the day after we moved out (while the landlord was on vacation) before the landlord could inspect the house. Does this have any relevance? What should I do before I go to court and does my landlord really have a case on me?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[BL]

What is the name of your state? Pa

Hello All, I would like to thank everyone in advane for any help.

I moved out of my last residence after about 9 months of occupancy. There was a bi-monthly lease with a $1600 security deposit. Upon moving out I went to My landlords house to give him our new address, but he was on vacation so I told his son in law to contact me when he returned. After 3 weeks without hearing from him I sent a certified letter with our new address and a request for the deposit or a list/estimate for repairs. After another 3 weeks, I proceeded to file a claim with the local court house. Now I have recieved a counter claim for $5000 for minor repairs.
- smoke detectors
-scratched door
-damaged wall
-broken window
-broken washer/dryer
-missing set of keys
Let me explain some of these; The damged wall is just dirt from going up and down the stairs, the broken window is a small old-fashion window maybe 8in x 8in
The washer and dryer are very old and we didn't even use them we had our own. and can he really charge me to change the locks becasue I didn't have all the keys even though he had his own set?
One more thing, His new tenants moved in the day after we moved out (while the landlord was on vacation) before the landlord could inspect the house. Does this have any relevance? What should I do before I go to court and does my landlord really have a case on me?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Penn/harris/pa-part4.html

Since you didn't take pictures , Etc . , Let the Landlord " prove " the claimed cost , and that you are responsible .
That's why it's important to get a walk through ck. list prior to move in , signed by both parties , and one on move out . ( tenant taking pictures ) .

Take your proofs , tell your side , and the Court will decide .

The Landlord is not claiming owed rent , Just damages .

 

[AdamWe]

In PA after 30 days if your landlord did not provide an itemized list of damages then you can sue for your original security deposit or double your security deposit. If you sue for double your security deposit it allows for your landlord to submit a counterclaim against you but if you only sue for your original security deposit it doesn't allow your landlord to sue for anything. I had a similiar situation where I sued and recieved my security deposit plus interest. Since you already filed your claim you probably can't change the dollar amount.