Mr Khan vs his ex-landlord

[famousringo]

Mr Khan said:

noname2200 said:
Let me tell you what I tell about 50% of my clients:

Let it go, dude.

Ehh, i know that's the "right" thing to do, but at the same time, if nobody stands up to people like him, they'll just keep getting away with it down the line. A huge pain in the ass (and the loss of even more than the $25 in having to pay my filing fee) would be a lesson he'd remember for the rest of his life.

However, as of the latest e-mail, he's trying to compel me to return my key early on the chance that he gets a new tenant before my lease is up (Aug 15th), and then he'll prorate the rent i've given him.

Presumably this means he's accepted my position (though my counteroffer was that he explicitly agree to return of my full security deposit before i surrender early keys).

We can only hope, as I don't hate the guy, just feel like this is insanely ridiculous and should not be allowed to stand.

Plus i'm already letting a fair bit slide. He locked me out last Saturday, after he had the front lock changed suddenly (without telling me and without giving me a new key), then locked the deadbolt on the back door (i had a key only for the doorknob lock, not the deadbolt), and he owes me $8 for a new plunger, after the old one broke in the course of normal usage (not like i was abusing it or anything). I'm letting enough go already.

Nevermind the money, is it really worth the time and the stress? You might feel your case is pretty solid, but there's always a risk when you take something like this to a judge. What if you don't get a favourable judgement? You'll have spent more money and more time and rather than teaching your landlord a lesson, you'll have affirmed his behaviour and perhaps provoked worse.