Security deposit letter to tenant

[wendy128]

What is the name of your state? CO

I had a nightmare tenant who quit paying rent and started selling drugs after a month and it took 3 more weeks to evict her. Half of the deposit was a stolen check she asked me to hold and half of the rent was forged money order (changed from $3.99 to $399). She was arrested and spent some time in jail.

I sent the itemized letter to her last known address (my property) in regular mail without a receipt because I thought it would just get returned since police was issuing a warrant for her arrest. With all the back rent and legal fees, she still owes $1,000+ and the account has turned over to the collection agency. No mail came back and she now claims that she wants her deposit. Does the law requires that letter be certified? I know I screwed up here. Please advice.

 

[heididun]

How long has it been since you evicted her?

 

[wendy128]

she was evicted Nov. 23, 2005

she was evicted Nov. 23, 2005

 

[justalayman]

What is the name of your state? CO

I had a nightmare tenant who quit paying rent and started selling drugs after a month and it took 3 more weeks to evict her. Half of the deposit was a stolen check she asked me to hold and half of the rent was forged money order (changed from $3.99 to $399). She was arrested and spent some time in jail.

I sent the itemized letter to her last known address (my property) in regular mail without a receipt because I thought it would just get returned since police was issuing a warrant for her arrest. With all the back rent and legal fees, she still owes $1,000+ and the account has turned over to the collection agency. No mail came back and she now claims that she wants her deposit. Does the law requires that letter be certified? I know I screwed up here. Please advice.

Sounds like the actual amount she may have given you was what? $3.99 at best. You do have proof the one check was a stolen check and the MO was fraudulent, correct? She never gave you a deposit, why would you need to give her back anything.

Use this to your advantage if you do not have an address on her. Tell her you need to mail it so she wil give you her current address. Then you will know where to send her copy of the lawsuit you file against her for the $1k.