What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI
I moved out of my rental on April 30, 2014 and gave landlord my forwarding address in writing. I moved to Florida.
I hadn't heard anything about my deposit on May 29th, so I texted twice before I received a reply saying he did get the forwarding address, but was "still working some things out in regards to the balance of the deposit." He told me the condo association assessed a fine for a garage sale I had and a door had damage. I had told him about the door while I lived there and told him I would fix it before I left. He told me don't worry about it - they'd just go ahead and fix it when they painted, etc.
I still did not get an itemized list of damages and any part of my deposit back, so I wrote a letter telling him since it was past the 30 day point, unless he returned my deposit in full within two weeks, I'd file in small claims court for double the amount of my deposit.
It's now been over two weeks since I sent the letter and over 45 days since I moved. I've not heard anything else from him.
Can I initiate the small claims proceedings in a Michigan court from Florida where I live now (via mail?) and fly up on the day of the court hearing? I'm willing to do that because if I sue for twice the amount it'll more than pay my plane fare and give me a chance to see old friends. But I'd have to be as certain as I can that it's a slam dunk that I'll get the deposit back. Thoughts?
Thanks.
I moved out of my rental on April 30, 2014 and gave landlord my forwarding address in writing. I moved to Florida.
I hadn't heard anything about my deposit on May 29th, so I texted twice before I received a reply saying he did get the forwarding address, but was "still working some things out in regards to the balance of the deposit." He told me the condo association assessed a fine for a garage sale I had and a door had damage. I had told him about the door while I lived there and told him I would fix it before I left. He told me don't worry about it - they'd just go ahead and fix it when they painted, etc.
I still did not get an itemized list of damages and any part of my deposit back, so I wrote a letter telling him since it was past the 30 day point, unless he returned my deposit in full within two weeks, I'd file in small claims court for double the amount of my deposit.
It's now been over two weeks since I sent the letter and over 45 days since I moved. I've not heard anything else from him.
Can I initiate the small claims proceedings in a Michigan court from Florida where I live now (via mail?) and fly up on the day of the court hearing? I'm willing to do that because if I sue for twice the amount it'll more than pay my plane fare and give me a chance to see old friends. But I'd have to be as certain as I can that it's a slam dunk that I'll get the deposit back. Thoughts?
Thanks.