Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Missing security deposit

How many times could Phaly go to the mailbox and be disappointed? Everyday she checked, and everyday the letter she was waiting for was not there.

Phaly Walker, renter
"I was feeling kind of disappointed that a reputable business would treat me this way."

When Phaly moved into this house six months ago, she brought her computer, her couch and her chair. The only thing she left behind was money, a months rent and her security deposit.

Phaly Walker, renter
"My expectation was to get all of those back."

So the day she moved, she dropped off her keys and left her new address and waited for her refund. After 30-days of checking the mailbox, Phaly started to wonder.

Phaly Walker, renter
"I knew that something was not right."

Phaly knew the law said 30 days, money back.

Phaly Walker, renter
"I thought every landlord would know the law."

But this one didn't seem to. She'd check the mailbox, then call him, over and over.

Phaly Walker, renter
"And every time I called it was always, oh, that person is not here, or no you need to leave a message."

Mailbox, then phone call, mailbox then phone call, over and over for six months, but no one called her back.

Phaly Walker, renter
"It was very frustrating, I thought how could it go this far?"

Phaly knew that she had two options. One: go to court.

Phaly Walker, renter
"I didn't want to do that I just felt that was a really long process."

Or two: go to her phone.

Phaly Walker, renter
"I decided to call Help me Hank."

We stepped in to put Phaly's house in order. With Phaly's lease in hand and the letter of the law we explained, yet again, they were five months overdue.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter
"Why is this taking so long?"

They explained, well, they had no real explanation. Soon after Phaly's phone rang.

Phaly Walker, renter
"She said I'll send the check right away."

And two days later, yup, she made another trip to the mailbox and this time there was something inside. It was a check for a grand total of $2,184. Now, instead of heading for the mailbox, Phaly's headed for the bank.