Security Deposit...6 months late.?

Question

I have been working with my old landlord for a long time to get my security deposits back. First they told me they didn't have my address (which I know was a lie I gave it to them in the same place they wanted me to return my keys) and then they said it got lost in the mail probably, and then they said they wanted proof of my cat deposit. So finally I gave them proof of my cat deposit with a scanned photocopy of my receipt of the check. About 2 weeks after that I get $295 out of my $550 of my deposits. So I get a $295 check finally after 6 months of hassling with them. I live in Minnesota, btw.
Now I call them and tell them they were charging me for ridiculous things like cleaning windows and repainting walls, (which I marked unsatisfactory on the sign in because they were dirty with probably smoke build up) Then about 2 weeks ago they said they'd pay be back for the wall painting. I still never received that. What actions should I be taking? Is what they doing, legal

I never cashed the $295 check yet because I wasn't sure what to do. I heard they are required by law to repay me in 21 days in Minnesota or at least give me a liste of reasons why they haven't in that time. They a re way beyond that time. I figured if they just paid me back in full because of how late they would it be fine, but now they are starting to give me charges. Other people have been living there for months now. The smoke build up on the walls was from previous owners...I do not smoke.
They also had promised to replace my blinds because they were tore up from the previous people and too had the smoke/dirt build up and never did that.

Answer 1

You could go to small claims court but you have to file in the state it happened in. you could go on line and try to get on peoples court. If nothing else then let it go and be smarter next time.
I would fight it but that's me I love a good go around.

Answer 2

No it is not legal, from the time that you turned in your keys, they should have done a walk-thru with you 2-3 weeks prior, to fix anything that might be wrong so you could save your deposit, another thing is they should have done a final walk-thru with you. 3) since they supposedly lost your address, they can mail the letter to your old address and it would be forwarded to the current address. Form the time you handed over the keys, they have 21 days to return your deposit and or give a written explanation and who did the work, as well as the reciepts for this work to you, at that point you should have written 2 letters, mailed 1 week apart by certified mail. asking for the deposit. And then you should have filed in small claims for the original rent x 2 plus a 600.00 bad faith of the retention of your deposit. Everything that they are going on about should have been in the 21 day time frame. Take them to court, and be prepared...

Answer 3

Refer to your lease first, Does it give details as to when, how and how much you are to get back? They can't charge you for "normal wear and tear", if you marked something unsatisfactory on the initial move in document it would be very difficult for them to charge you for anything involving that area. They can charge you for cleaning windows and appliances if they were clean when you moved in and not when you left. Easiest thing to do is have them do a move out inspection before you leave and have them note anything unacceptable so you can decide whether to clean or dispute. After the fact everything gets more difficult to prove for both sides. Again, refer to the lease, if it does not address the issue, ask them for a detailed list of the charges from the security deposit. If they are valid, move on with your life, if not advise them in writing as to why you feel they are not, await their response. Going to court over such a small amount is not really a viable option for either of you so seek a compromise solution.