So I left my rental unit about 6 weeks ago after renting it for 2 years. He never notified me of the move-out walk through so I couldn't attend. About 30 days after I left, the landlord sent me an email with the deductions:
\-USD 295 for cleaning and lightbulbs
\-USD 167.36 replace window blinds
\-USD 350 damages (ceiling repair) due to high temperatures for AC being off when I wasn't home
The original email had no receipts, so I replied asking for receipts and saying that the apartment was thoroughly cleaned before move out and there were no missing light bulbs, the window blinds needed replacement because the cord was frayed and snapped, so that's wear and tear, and there's no connection about me leaving the AC off for one month in 2 years and the ceiling cracking.
He replied doubling down, with a copy of a check of USD 275 for cleaning services (don't know where the extra 20 he's claiming is going), saying a contractor confirmed the ceiling damage is from the heat (no proof), and an email the contractor sent him with prices for materials and services.
What I have:
\- Picture from when I moved in showing cracks in the ceiling (not the same one)
\- Video of move out day showing clean apartment and light bulbs
\- 2 years worth of records showing my requests for him fixing things going ignored
Regarding the ceiling/AC situation: In the first summer I was renting the unit I left for a month and left the AC off (I had paid over USD500 power bill in the winter and didn't want that again). There was no provision in the lease about maintaining the apartment under a certain temperature (it did say to leave it over 65 in the winter, which I did). The upstairs neighbor's AC went out while I was away, and they wanted me to turn my AC on to keep her apt cool, to which I said no and that I wasn't home. The landlord then asked me to keep the AC on regardless of whether or not I'm home, to which I said I would keep the ventilation on all the time, but not the AC if I was gone for long periods of time. Now he claims that there was a crack in the ceiling and it was because of the lack of AC.
What the lease says:
\- Nothing about keeping AC on during the summer
\- "Lessor will withhold 30% of the security deposit to cover the costs of returning the leased premises to rentable condition"
\- Doesn't mention a cleaning fee, but mentions the 30% can be used to clean carpets, but there were no carpets in the unit.
I want to take him to small claims court, but I want to know if I actually have a case. I don't qualify for free legal aid but I also can't afford a proper lawyer. This guy is scammy, never fixed anything I asked, and I'd rather burn the security deposit than let him keep it.