Q: I moved out of my apartment over 30 days ago, and I have not yet received my security deposit. It might be in the mail.

A: Under Pennsylvania’s Landlord Tenant Act, within 30 days after you have moved out, the landlord must either return the entire security deposit or send you a list of damages, the cost of repairs, and any money remaining from the security deposit. If the landlord does not provide a written list of damages within 30 days, the landlord may not keep any part of the security deposit. You may then sue to recover double the amount of the deposit minus any actual damages as determined by the court. If, within 30 days, the landlord fails to pay you the difference between the security deposit and the actual damages to the leased property, the landlord is liable for double the amount by which the security deposit exceeds the actual damages to the leased property.

A: If you haven't received your security deposit after 30 days of moving out, here's what you can do:

Contact your former landlord and ask about the status of your deposit, providing your forwarding address again.

Request written confirmation of when the deposit was sent and any tracking information.

If needed, send a certified letter reiterating your move-out date, forwarding address, and mention relevant tenant laws.

Research local laws regarding security deposits to understand your rights.

Consult a lawyer or legal aid organization specializing in tenant rights if communication fails.

Remember to keep records of all communication for future reference.