Possible issue with tenant/Security Deposit

[Brendan Connolly]

Hi. I have a question for some of you seasoned and thick skinned landlords. First and foremost, I hope everyone is staying healthy and able to make payments or find solutions with the corona virus amidst.  Anyhow, Ive made out good so far minus a set back with a section 8 re-inspection.  My tenant and her three girls, varying ages are pretty responsible in the big picture of what they have available to them. Mom has a loose connection with her sister in law to gain income at night and not show it to section 8, therefore hiding to fact that she would have to pay a small portion of the rent.  I don't really care about this part. I look at it from this context. She's doing what she can to keep her daughters afloat and have the bare necessities.  Anyhow, she was supposed to get assistance from Dept. of Children and Families for a security deposit and their program or some discrepancy with what the tenant failed to do caused her to not receive this. Now, I took a chance with this lady because overall she appeared to be a decent section 8 tenant from my expericence with this program. I find it to be fitting for the house I have in the small blue collar town we are have this property in.  Unbenowst to me, her previous landlord who she had a private relationship with....I think it was sexual in nature from what she claims... evicted her the week she began moving into our place for a small dollar amount. He was successful because it appears she never showed for the appearance dates.  Fast forward several months and I was told that she would not be getting the security deposit and she promised that she would pay in payments if need be.  First mistake was that I never got anything in writing, second was that I took a chance out of "giving her the benefit of the doubt" that she  would produce this security (1200.00). I am still currently in the hole for this money and have written her and email and sent her a certified letter explaining that she needs to pay the deposit in payments of her choice. I did not threaten any action or give any consequences as of yet due to not not hearing back from her.  Dies anyone have any ideas on how to proceed or has anyone dealt with a situation like this that can offer help or guidance. Overall, they keep the place very neat, are good/consistent with communication and seem to have vested interest in staying long term. This is the largest and most yielding apartment in a building of 4 units.  Thanks for any guidance or wisdom. We are in Connecticut.  Thanks in advance.