Lease law??

[nameless999]

What is the name of your state? Indiana. I moved to Mississippi last June,2004 after giving my landlord a month notice. I paid $350 a month with an initial $350 deposit. I did leave a couch, chair, console TV and a mattress that I couldn't fit into moving van. They were in good condition and usable and I let my landlord know about it when I left town and dropped off the key. Then he said they would send my deposit. I think there's a 45 day period before they have to though. I waited and called for 6 months and finally last week, he sends me a bill for $546 for hauling off 5 truckloads of junk!! I was totally shocked. I immediately called him and asked about what was going on and how he came up with 5 truckloads, when you could get the stuff I left in one truckload. He said it took two men all day to haul off that stuff. I then reminded him of my initial deposit. First he said I didn't pay one, but I told him I had the receipt. Then he calls me back and wants a copy of the receipt and $196 or $546. Can he do this??? nameless999

[TaxiDriver]

Landlords are kinda like cops. They do what they want, the burden is on you to prove them wrong. You should check your state's laws about security deposits. He probably was supposed to send you a letter stating why he kept the money. Take him to court and he will have to prove it really was $X00 worth of moving expenses. It would help if you had a picture showing it was only a couple pieces of furniture.