Sueing landlord for security deposite,having problems serving court paper

[kgiesen]

What is the name of your state? Florida
I rented a studio apartment in Bay Harbor for $750 per month. My lease started on August 1st 2006 and ended on August 1st 2007. My landlord does not have a direct phone number and therefore he provided a voicemail box for his tenants to be able to reach him. I left my landlord a message stating that I was moving out in a week and I needed to talk to him about my security deposite. He never returned my call and I left him another message with my forwarding address and my phone number. He failed to return my messages that I left him and he didn't claim the certified letter that I mailed to him. I had to drive 3 hours from Tampa to Miami to find him. I went to his house and he told me that he would take care of the deposite. He never mailed me or contacted me with the security deposite. I filed a court case after I left his property. It's been 4 months since the police department has tried to serve him the court papers. He never gave me a certified letter stating why he is not giving me my securtiy deposite. What should I do?

 

[kgiesen]

Anybody have any advice for me?

 

[MIRAKALES]

In Florida, LL must provide security deposit statement within fifteen (15) to forty-five (45) days depending on whether tenant disputes deductions. If tenant did not receive the settlement statement and provided LL with a forwarding address then tenant can recover for non-compliance of the law.

Attempt to re-file the court documents and serve the civil action by all legal methods, including police department (if county requires) and USPS certified mail to show proof of mailling and USPS first class mail to confirm delivery.

 

[kgiesen]

Does anybody have any advice for me on this matter?

 

[reenzz]

Since you only gave your landlord a weeks notice, then by Florida law, you've not given proper notice. Security deposits in Florida can be used if tenant fails to give proper notice.

 

[Cvillecpm]

Have court papers served by a PRIVATE PROCESS SERVER and increase your amount by several hundred $$$ to cover this cost.