help my landlord is keeping my deposit!

[krokill]

Live in Pennsylvania. My LL is withholding security deposit because he states for the 60days prior to my moveout (June30) that the apartment was filthy (I admit - I procrastinate in doing dishes and laundry... but filthy?!?) and that he could not show it.
Spoke to him July 17 and he says he has not found a new tenant and will holding my security deposit.

Can he do this?!? By the way, when I moved out (a week early at his request - he said he would prorate, I had the apt professionally cleaned).

Thanks!

 

[ecmst12]

I don't believe that's a valid reason for him to hold your deposit, so long as you gave him proper notice that you were moving.

If he wanted you to clean up a bit so he could show the apartment (which I don't even think he can legally REQUIRE you to do), he should have told you about it 60 days prior to you moving out when he supposedly wanted to show it. It's not your problem that he hasn't found another tenant.