[LIforrelaxin]

Not to get to personal here, but how much was the security deposit?

A scratch on a refrigerator door shouldn't equal more the 50$, as others have said it really just where and tare....

Personally it sounds as though the property owner, is inconsiderate at the least.

Unfortunately unless you have a contract that spells out that you will rent every year in July for a week. The owner is not responsible to continue to rent the place to you. However The security deposit should be returned and as others have said, the owner had 30 days, to either refund the security deposit or to give you an explanation to why they where not going to after your stay last summer. If they mailed you the initial letter describing the damage, they have done that notification. Now of course there should have been some follow up, both on your part and theirs on that issue. To make sure the situation was resolved to everyone mutual satisfaction.

Most people when they decide not to rent anymore will notify long time renters that they are not going to be renting anymore. Why this family did not, who knows. I personally would have started looking for another place when they weren't returning my phone calls through the winter. Especially if in the past phone calls were returned. That is a sure sign things changed.

Don't be to critical of the owners however, there may be something going on that you are not privy too, that cause them to change their minds on continuing to rent, that is tragic.

On the security deposit. Figure out if the amount of the deposit is worth the effort it might take to get it back.... and then take the steps mentioned above.