My former landlord with whom I've had numerous issues has not returned my security deposit................

I would send him a letter informing him that you have contacted a lawyer regarding the matter and the issue needs to be solved by such-and-such date. After that? Small claims court. Take it to Judge Judy!

Legally he can not keep your deposit. But he can get any repairs done to the unit and deduct them from your deposit and send you the balance. If the repairs use up the whole deposit he should issue you copies of the receipts and a letter as to what he needed to do to fix the place back to the way you rented it. This means cleaning fees to if he has to hire a housekeeping firm.

If he does not have receipts them you can expect your deposit back or you can take him to small claims court.

You need to give him 6-8 weeks to get the deposit back to you.

Call the landlord and ask him why it is taking so long was there a problem?

For future renting:

Get everything in writing or contract before you rent

Do a walk through with the landlord before you move in

Before you move in when you are alone take photos of condition

(these stand up in court if you need to go)

Take photos after you move out.

Want a guarantee to get it back, hire a licensed housekeeping firm to clean the unit when you move and save the receipt (then owner can not say it was not clean) it is your proof of condition, third party.

If you can talk to landlord or rental company in person this is best. Keep on top of it every week. Let them know you are not backing down and want your money back. There are laws protecting you use them. Go to court if you have to.

In Canada there is something called the office of the rentalsman who will help you ensure you get your money back.

Just google rentalsman office and the province you live in and you should find it.

Their job is to protect you.

Good luck landlords can be jerks.

I feel your pain, my last one threatened to get me and my husband fired (not sure how he was going to do that, think he was mentally disturbed).

Judge Judy...she'll get your money back and quick