LL keeping security and certificate of occupancy

[sarahmrose]

My landlord is ducking phone calls in an attempt to hang on to the security deposit - I'm sending registered letters now.

A lawyer told me there is no certificate of occupancy on file for the building and that it has been illegal for the LL to charge any rent at all. Is this an ace in the hole to get my $ back?

The place was a dump, I spent a few hundred fixing it up, but I'm afraid they'll use the security to avoid having to put their own money into it.

Any suggestions?