My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Washington
Hello, This is my first time posting here so I will do my best to describe everything and present all the evidence I own.
I moved in to a split level house owned by a co-worker in July 2009. The lease was 1 year and ended July 2010, to which it was extended to a month to month lease. She uses a management company to do all the paperwork, processing and payment basically.
I paid my rent on time each month by the 4th to avoid late charges.
The last week of September 2011 I had a friend live in my home for 6 days. (Lease states that I may have a guest for no longer then 7 days.)
Since my landlord works in an adjacent department at my work and I openly talk about happenings in my life with coworkers in my department, buzzing bees do they're work. (If you know what I mean.)
October 1st, I was approached by my landlord on the job where she said, "I think you need a bigger place" I honestly had no idea what she was talking about, she then asked me if I had received the letter, to which I hadn't.
On Oct 4th, 2011 I received a notice from the management company stating that I had until October 30th to vacate the premises because they wanted to "remodel the home" and that they had been informed that I was offered a larger apartment by my landlord. (Unfortunately to my regret I didn't keep this letter nor the envelope with the post mark...)
I moved all of my things out the last weekend in October 2011 leaving a few items behind to be picked up later, on October 31st 2011 me and my mother returned to finish cleaning the home and remove the rest of my items. I had noticed that someone else had been in the home already between the two moving days because a rug from the entrance hallway was thrown outside. My lease states that I be given 48 hours notice or consent requested before they are allowed to enter my home. (A law may also apply to this.)
Towards the end of October 2011 my Landlord approached me at work stating, "You know I considered you a good renter? As long as you leave the place clean you will get your full deposit back."
I couldn't stay, so my mother agreed to finish cleaning the home and remove the rest of the items. (My mother is a project manager for 3 clean and sober transitional living apartments, she knows how to clean house very well. Relapsed drug addicts leave messy homes, I know first hand as I helped her clean those apartments before.) She vouches that she did a great job cleaning the home.
I called the management company about 3+weeks after I moved out inquiring about my deposit, as to if I was getting anything back, or if it was being taken, I just wanted to know, didn't care either way to be honest. ($300)
I didn't get a response till I received a letter today December 9th. Envelope is post-marked Nov 29th 2011. There is also a date on the letter at the top and bottom stating November 14th 2011.
"You are hereby notified that your security damage deposit in the amount of three hundred dollars in connection with your tenancy at the above described premises, which tenancy was terminated November 1 2011 is being completely withheld.
Statement as to deductions:
Cleaning $75
(*)Puget Sound Energy $56.09
Replaced Damaged Blinds $200
Entry wall damage $100
Clogged bathroom drain (toothpaste cap) $225
Replaced bathroom sub-floor and flooring due to urine and water damage $350
Painting due to walls being soiled with urine $206.91
Total deductions $1213.00
Amount due to tenant (Deposit amount less deductions) $0
Amount due to Landlord (Deductions less deposit) $913
You are hereby directed to forward Nine hundred thirteen dollars for damages exceeding your deposit amount. This amount is now sue, please remit today.
Issued in Pierce County, Washington this 14th day of November 2011"
Included was also a copy of a Puget Sound Energy bill that was issued to my landlord.
I would also like to note, a walk through of the home was never done with me present either before or after tenancy. I was however asked to walk through the home myself and write the "issues" I noticed.
Unfortunately to my knowledge, I noted many things but left some things out that I may have felt irrelevant because of my relationship with my Landlord. (Her being my coworker.)
"A friend of mine who is a lawyer told me that in WA state tenant laws are so geared towards the renter that there is pretty much no chances that they jumped through all the correct hoops to be able to bill you
#1 is they have to keep your security deposit in a trust checking account in your name
if they don't do that then you can basically pee in every corner of the place and they can't do shit"
I wanted to quote that from a friend for a laugh but also curious as to how true it is.
Secondly how likely will this turn out in my favor. Should I get a lawyer, should I just contact the Management Company, if so what do I say?
Obviously the most detrimental thing I did was throw away the initial 30 day notice letter..
I also wanted to note that on the "bill" they sent me, they misspelled my name.
If there is any more info I can provide, I'm more then willing.
I appreciate any help or advice given.
And sorry if this actually belongs in the "eviction" section, but I don't think it qualifies as a legal eviction.

