I'm dealing with a situation and need some guidance.
title issue discovered after closing. I've been dealing with this for about 16 months now and the situation isn't improving.
Should I hire a lawyer for this or try to handle it myself?
Illegal lockout update: my landlord changed the locks while I was at work. In California, this is a criminal offense (Penal Code 418) and can result in actual damages, statutory damages up to $100/day, and attorney's fees.
Security deposit disputes are often worth pursuing even for small amounts because many states award 2-3x the deposit as penalties if the landlord acted in bad faith. Plus attorney's fees in some states.
Make sure you send everything via certified mail with return receipt.
In my experience, landlords often back down once you cite the specific statute.
Following - similar situation with my landlord.