Suing apartment complex for deposit. Whose name goes on claim?

I must sue my apartment complex to get my security deposit back. I'm in Pennsylvania, and have written, dated, and signed proof that I gave them my forwarding address. I also have written and dated proof from them that there were no damages to apartment. AND I have photos. I will sue for double my security deposit back plus the interest ($1,750).

It's a corporation with many apartment branches. I have the name of the person who works at the local office, but don't know who works in the regional office which is 70 miles away.

Can I just name the local company instead of the corporation? Do I need a specific person's name? How do I phrase the person I'm making the claim against?

Thanks! - S

Under PA law, you may sue for double if they do not return the deposit -- or a letter stating why they didn't return the deposit -- within 30 days.

Not to be a bubble bursting, but my sister and I had all the info you had and we never got our deposit back. In fact, they told the court they had to replace the carpet, which they never did. (our friends lived next door to us). The court usually sides with the apartment unless you can get more than a few people to sign something saying they kept their deposit or charged them and they also have pictures.

If you sue a corporation, you need to name the actual legal entity that owes you the money, and serve their registered agent. The registered agent of a corporation can be found from the PA Secretary of State's office. (Or you can ask the apartment manager)

The company that owes you the money is the one that you signed the lease with.

So if the "Landlord" on your lease is "Swampy Bottom Apartment Management, Inc. (A Slumco Group Company)", you need to sue "Swampy Bottom Apartment Management, Inc", not Slumco.

If, on the other hand, the lease says "Swampy Bottom Apartments (Managed by Slumco Inc)", then you'd sue Slumco.

Richard

I sued in AZ and had to name the Corp.

You put on the exact complex with their head office (corporation) behind it. Oh, by the way, you can't sue for double, only for what they owe.

Oh, and possible interest that could have been gained when sitting in you bank account.