Help with losing security deposit

[Chris Policicchio]

I have a friend (John) who is in need of some help with his previous landlord. I told him there is this wonderful community at BP that will likely be able to help him. The apartment was in the Pittsburgh PA area.

The landlord was notified on 5/31 that John would not be renewing his lease and would be out by 7/1. The notification was via email. It was part of a thread of several back-and-forth messages between John and the landlord. The landlord acknowledged on 6/2 that he received the message.

The keys were turned over on 6/29.

The security deposit was $1,300. Additionally, John, had previously had the refrigerator repaired. The landlord has tried to fix it himself but couldn't and gave John permission to have Sears fix it. John paid out of pocket and the landlord agreed to reimburse him. The repair cost was $255.

On 8/12, the landlord sent John a check for $650. The landlord did not include any explanation of why he withheld $650. Additionally, he did not repay the $255, as agreed. John assures me there was nothing more than normal wear and tear in the apt and I believe him.

Finally, John also forgot he paid rent for the first and last month of lease and mistakenly paid (again) for his last month (so another $1300).

So, in summary, John is owed $1300 (extra month of rent) + $1300 (deposit) + $255 (reimbursement) = $2855.

The landlord has not replied to John's attempts for an explanation or to receive the money he is owed.  

Does anyone have any advice on what his next steps should be?