Lol yeah the only decent experience we've had was with A&W Sons who rent out the Diplomat, Beaver Hill etc. That place included utilities, they'd fix stuff without hassle, and gave back deposits as long as the place was in reasonable condition.

The legal counsel we are using is under the Penn State Legal Services department for students... we went through this to set up an appointment:

http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/legalservices/

UPDATE: Meeting with attorney set for tomorrow (Thursday). My friends still at school are going since they are students and I'm far away... it appears that this is pro bono or part of the school's services which is great. If we do end up getting billed I think it'll be minimal, but free sure this is all going to be free. I can't believe how much we all despise this landlord - he's like a really, really stupid and fat version of the devil. Will keep you all updated

Try to get in on the meeting via conference call. Would love to know what the attorney says. GL to you.

And yeah the attorneys have to be very up front and honest about any possible charges or fees. If the school is acting on your behalf or this is pro-bono, I'm sure they'll make that quite clear.

Good for you man. Keep fighting the good fight here.

I should have hired you (OP) to go after my landlord. I was too lazy (prolly the reason why most landlords pull this stuff - cause most kids won't fight it) and didn't fight the security deposit at all. he charged us for all kinds of stupid **** and kept every cent of the $840 deposit (2 people in small 2br apartment).

Had a landlord try to charge my ex for a whole bunch of **** like this after I had already moved on and removed my name from the lease. Hope this guy gets what's coming to him, gl op.

Conference call should take place within the next few minutes, I'll post a summary... reallllllly hoping he'll have positive things to say about or case

UPDATE: HAD FIRST MEETING WITH LAWYER

Had a conference call with the lawyer and friends still at school (in her office with her at the time of the call). She is working for free and is in charge of the student legal services department at our school. She said she can keep working for free for the three of us that are still in school, but the other nine need other representation. She will bring in someone she trusts at a discounted rate so it doesn't get very expensive.

We went over each item on the bill and figured out what we have ample evidence for and what we don't. She had me draft a short letter to the landlord requesting invoices for all work done and supplies used. She in the meantime is drafting a "demand letter" that will be signed by all 12 of us. She is also contacting the appropriate health/housing code authorities and filing complaints on the landlord.

Things look good - she was extremely helpful over the phone and sounds like she genuinely believes we are doing the right thing. Even if we have to pay for the additional lawyer I think all 12 of us will split it and it'll end up saving us a ton of money down the road (assuming things go as we're hoping).

Best case is we get all our money back and the landlord gets in trouble as he should.

Middle case is we don't get our security deposits back, pay nothing more, and landlord gets stern warning/bad publicity.

Worst case is we lose the case, pay the lawyer and each owe the additional money (seems really unlikely)



Thoughts?

Props for standing up for yourselves. For shady landlords like this, thinking they're preying on unsuspecting kids and then getting lawyers thrown at them is probably their worst nightmare. I hope he gets what he deserves.

I'd say you're in pretty good shape here. You expected this was coming and had the chance to take action before it hit you. Your case is at least reasonable enough to proceed down the road. My guess is the landlord will be backing down about this bill quite quickly once he gets hit with a couple certified letters.

A lawyer is going to terrify the landlord. I'd expect him to fold pretty quick

Yea, as with many situations in life, the mere presence of a lawyer scares people.

5 days and no update? Way to leave us hanging OP

We sent him the letter requesting invoices/receipts and are waiting for a response.

i would do some cool hand history where like skitz0frenik has like [lawyer of hearts] [lawyer of clubs] and the landlord has like [fatass] [i suck]












but im too lazy.
gl op

fwiw, if its taking these slumlords more than 5 days to respond it sounds like they aren't taking your threats seriously and its time to step up your game