Tenant wants security deposit back after 2 months

[Gigi Smith]

Hi everyone,

A few months ago I finally got a problem tenant out (lease expired) and I sent a list of itemized deductions from her security deposit and a check to the address she texted me. It got really nasty after I asked her to move out and she demanded that I send her ENTIRE security deposit to this address:

I was skeptical because, does she even live there..? But I had to follow the law so I sent it (certified) to the address she texted me. The letter was taking an unusually long time to reach her and the tracking number kept saying ‘in transit’ for over 2 weeks. I texted her twice about this, I even gave her the tracking number so she could see for herself. She never responded. Then one day the letter shows up in MY mailbox, with a sticker on the front that says 

Return to sender

Attempted—not known

Unable to forward

Return to sender

There are no spelling mistakes on the name and address I wrote so the only explanation is that whoever lives at that address isn’t her and they refused the letter.

It’s been over a month since I received the letter back. I didn’t open it, just filed it away. Well, she texted me this morning out of the blue and said she still hasn’t received her deposit back and she opened a claim with usps and they told her that is was lost/damaged.

She wants me to send a new one to a different address. My question is..do I? It’s been over two months since she moved out. I had 30 days to send a list of itemized deductions and the rest of her deposit back and I did it within 18 days. The letter was returned to me but I sent it to the address she gave me. Is she even entitled to the deposit at this point? What happens if we go to court? I have the original unopened letter and copies of her text demanding me to send it to that address and that address only. What should I do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!! And sorry for the very long post!