Apartment Fire

I rented a townhouse with 3 monthes left on my lease when the neighbor accidently started a fire. I had to argue with the landlord to let me stay in a small apartment that had not been cleaned yet for that evening. My apartment would be unlivable for several monthes. I asked for any apartment available since I did not want to move, a couple of day's later she told me she would have nothing available and that I could stay where I was for another week and that I would have to move out and also have everything out of my old apartment in 2 days since she already called the salvage company. The fire happened of the 18th she prorated my paid rent from the 20th and I was told I would get back the 300.00 pet deposit by the end of the month, since than it has been over 2 monthes I called today and now she is only giving me 200.00 dollars back on my pet deposit. The apartment is still being completely renovated. I had many moving costs since I had only a couple of day's to find a place and move. They have insurance renovating the apartment and they are still trying to get another 100.00 dollars from me. Do I have any rights at all? The fire is bad enough without having a landlord doing this to me.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hugoboss:
I rented a townhouse with 3 monthes left on my lease when the neighbor accidently started a fire. I had to argue with the landlord to let me stay in a small apartment that had not been cleaned yet for that evening. My apartment would be unlivable for several monthes. I asked for any apartment available since I did not want to move, a couple of day's later she told me she would have nothing available and that I could stay where I was for another week and that I would have to move out and also have everything out of my old apartment in 2 days since she already called the salvage company. The fire happened of the 18th she prorated my paid rent from the 20th and I was told I would get back the 300.00 pet deposit by the end of the month, since than it has been over 2 monthes I called today and now she is only giving me 200.00 dollars back on my pet deposit. The apartment is still being completely renovated. I had many moving costs since I had only a couple of day's to find a place and move. They have insurance renovating the apartment and they are still trying to get another 100.00 dollars from me. Do I have any rights at all? The fire is bad enough without having a landlord doing this to me.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

File a small claims action for the entire amount of the security and pet deposit. In addition go for the maximum penalty for L not refunding the deposit within the stated time period pursuant to L/T law, which may be 2-3 times your normal deposit.