<prompt> Human: I live in California, my previous landlord had my new address on file yet never sent me a disposition of security deposit; I figured they used it for cleaning it was only a 400 deposit. 3 months later I get an alert via Credit Karma that I have a collection on my records, when I pull it up I am dumbfounded to find a 4000 debt to a collection agency with the original creditor being my previous rental property. I never got a letter or call from either the property or the creditor. I first disputed this with the credit bureaus after 30 days I was sent a letter letting me know that they are keeping it on my reports and a copy of what looked like a check list of work done but no totals. I then filed a claim with consumer finance the creditor finally sent a copy of the Disposition of Security deposit with my new address listed and supposed date of 4 days after my move out date that the letter was sent. Funny because for all of that work that had to be done and cleaning it surprised me they could get it all done in less than a week especially since the whole carpet had to be replaced. Can I dispute this any further? I want proof that they sent that letter out, I want proof of the work that was done. I have pictures of the property myself should I send it to them? Edit: OOPS! Sorry I meant 4,000 Assistant: Document everything.First, send a certified letter with return receipt to your landlord explaining that you never got a letter with an itemized list of things that needed to be fixed upon you leaving the apartment, and thus, not only is his withholding of your deposit unlawful, he has no standing to collect 4,000 from you. If this collection began within four days of you leaving, its definitely illegal. Ask for your 400 back, or else you will sue in small claims court within 15 days.Wait for a response. If you dont get the 400, go to small claims and sue. Become familiar with landlordtenant regulations in your county, as the rules about how security deposits can be used are very specific. If the landlord cant produce an itemized list of expenses sent to you within a time period, he likely has to return everything. Frankly, given how shady the landlord is and the risk of being exposed for it in court, you might just get a check in the mail.Human: Awesome yes! I did that I sent a letter return receipt letting them know that they failed to give me a list of work done within the required time frame and I cited the particular law to back it up. I also demanded my security deposit back however I did not add a time frame to respond back I figured if I didnt get a response in 30 days Id dispute with credit bureaus again. Do you think I should send another letter?  <response>: Just go ahead and file suit in small claims. Find out if you can sue for additional money due to bad faith; in my jurisdiction, if you can demonstrate bad faith, you can ask for three times as much as the security deposit. 