It has been 30 days since I vacated my previous apartment. This apartment's landlord lives in another state and hires a property manager in Massachusetts.
When I moved in, I received documentation that my security deposit was placed in a bank account in the state in which the landlord lives. I understand now that this is against the law in Massachusetts, but did not understand this at the time. I have never contacted the landlord directly (other than the occasional letter) because all practical matters regarding the apartment were handled by the manager. The landlord might as well not exist.
Both the property manager and the landlord have a forwarding address to which they could send either estimates of damages (I expect none) or the security deposit, but neither have been sent.
I would like to take this to court - since the landlord does not live in the state and I cannot summon him, I would like to take the property manager to court, since he is the individual who reports back to the landlord the condition of the apartment and he is the individual with whom I have dealt and who received my security deposit when I first gave it (and signed a receipt.)
I deserve some money back - if I take the property manager to court, would the judge throw the case out?