Roommates Refusing to Return Deposit

[fancypants]

Hi,

I'm in the state of Oregon. I moved into a house with two other roommates on a month-to-month lease. Over time both roommates moved out and were replaced. At the end of last month I moved out but the other two stayed, resulting in a complete turnover. The landlord's policy is that until the whole house is vacated, she doesn't get involved in the deposit exchange. The new roommate has to write me a check for the deposit directly. However, the landlord did do an inspection and said that I should receive my full deposit. She also said that if there was any further wear in the future, she would have to start taking it from the deposit.

My ex-roommates are now saying that they don't want to return my deposit since the landlord might charge them in the future. What are my legal rights in this situation? Since I paid the deposit to the landlord, is she legally obligated to return it to me? She has already documented that I should receive a full deposit. If I have to take this to court, who do hold accountable?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Do you have a written lease? Are you a month-to-month tenant or is there a specific lease term? Did you sign the lease with the other roommates? What does the lease say about what happens if less than all of the roommates move out?