Can they keep my deposit?

[EmpathyKills]

I had a terrible apartment, and the rental company knows it. I was in tears most of the time I was there because of fleas and roaches, and in the last month I was bitten by a mouse. Anyway, they discounted my rent by 750 dollars, and I owed them 675. I never paid them because I just refused to give them any more money after the biting incident, and I figured that they'd take it from my 1425 security deposit. When i moved out, the apartment was spotless though.

well, it's been almost 2 months and they haven't returned my security, but my friends who moved out of nearby apartments have received their deposits (of course they also filled out some paperwork that I was never asked to sign). Is the company supposed return the deposit? Or did I forfeit all of it by not paying? Can I send them the 675 that i owe them to get the full 1425, or is this standard practice to keep everything when a tenant owes you money?

please advise.

[mjr203]

it's standard practice and they owe you the rest

have they responded in any way?

if negatively, small claims court may be the answer