Long story: I think my ex-tenant is trying to scam me for twice his deposit. He didn't ask for a showing before he signed a year lease and gave me the deposit and 1st months rent. 3 weeks after he moved in he left with the excuse he didn't like it there (I was relieved that he left). I think he gave me a phony out of state forwarding address so I mailed his deposit and statement, (within the 30 days) to the rental address and I texted him to file his forwarding address with the USPS to get his deposit back. I'm a little afraid of this guy so I didn't give him my home address.

Can he file a claim at court for his deposit and give the court a phony address for me so I never get notified of a court date so I don't attend court and he is awarded twice the deposit (by law in PA)?

Did you send it certified mail? I hope so especially since you don't trust the person. IF you didn't... I wouldn't worry about it and you can't really worry about "what ifs" in all honesty.

If it comes back to you. File it unopened. Whose return address did you give on the envelope? Do nothing until he does. Not my problem if they don't file a new address. I take the mailbox away when they leave. Anyone who signs a lease is a big boy or girl and needs to deal with things when they leave. They should not be on the property once they move out.

For the NEXT time, I have a service. A UPS store that has a notary -- I have them review my Deposit Refund Letter and refund check. They make copies of the letter and check, then notarize:

They filled out the address on the envelope. Put the refund check in the envelope with the letter. Seal it. Enter the envelope in the mailing system with a Tracking number.

So when my x-tenant reports they never got their deposit refund check, they are entitled to Three time the deposit amount.

MC, I removed the mailbox on my flip house because the deadbeats that lived there were still getting mail.

I talked to the postal driver about having the address marked as uninhabited to stop getting mail. I have done this in a neighboring town, but he said he would do what he could.

Was still getting their mail so I returned it all to a blue box and then took the mailbox away at the house.

Bonus is no more junk mail either.

1. Part of the PA Landlord/Tenant law regarding security deposit returns REQUIRES the tenant to provide a forwarding address in writing when they move out in order for the "double security deposit if the landlord does not return my deposit within 30 days" tactic. Otherewise, sending the deposit to their former address where they rented from you meets the criteria. Just retrieve the envelope and keep it unopened in their file.

2. Regardless of whether you thought the out-of-state address was boguss, you should have sent it there while making sure you kept the communication from them when they provided this address in their file or in your text history. (This is why it's not a great idea to get their forwarding address over the phone and then write it down yourself...best to get it in writing somehow from the tenant because they can always claim you wrote it down wrong).

Here they just knock on the door. If you don't answer they roll up the paperwork and stick it between the knob and the jamb.

You have now officially been served. They mail a copy as well.

Warren, once when I was sued and the Summons and Complaint were not properly served, the Plaintiff filed a phony proof of service and the Court entered a default judgment against me.

When I learned of this default judgment, I filed a Motion to Set Aside Default and Default Judgment, with proof that the address on the phony Proof of Service was never my business or residential address. My motion was granted, and the Plaintiff had to start over at square 1, with the judge then knowing that the Plaintiff was a scammer.

Here is a link where you can check to see if you have been filed on against you

ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch

Sorry you are having the trouble that you are having. Why do you think your previous tenant is going to say you did not return the itemized security deposit report back along with any money due to them? You should have a date on your report and a date on the check.

If you get these documents back you have your proof. If the check gets cashed - you have that date on the check. If the check is submitted as evidence - again there is the date.

Jonny---does not matter if he sent it cert mail, he did not send it to the address that the tenant gave him! Like the statute clearly says to do. Instead, he mailed it to the rental address where HE KNOWS the GUY NO LONGER LIVES! Cripes, how is that gonna look to a judge? I mean, really, you gotta be able to think in this biz.

If the tenant sues you and gives a fake address for you the sheriff will try to serve someone that opens the door at the address he gives. If someone opens the door and is served the server will note on his affidavit the person's height, weight, age, and race. The case will proceed and when you do not show up he will get a default judgement. The good news is that you can assert lack of service and open the case up.