If my tenant violates the lease am I legally able to keep their deposit

Probably not. What does the lease say about the security deposit? It doesn't sound like you are seeking to keep the deposit to cover any unpaid...

Rental Law of notice to vacate. Is it legal to send a Failure to Recertify Notice to Vacate in 30days through the regular mail?

Your post is a little difficult to follow. If you signed a new lease and are not in breach it sounds like you have the right to be there. If you...

Can my past landlord sue me for owed rent on an illegally rented house?

You can certainly raise these defenses but I think you'd face an uphill battle in court. Most judges don't favor giving tenants free rent. It...

I suggest you repost your question and indicate that you are Illinois so that Illinois-licensed attorneys see your question.

What legal recourse do I have against my college?

Meet with a local attorney experience in education law and contracts.

Do companies call prior to serving legal papers or do they just show up?

Process servers sometimes call but this sounds fishy to me.

How do I stop a neighbor from discouraging potential buyers by telling them false information?

You might be well served by paying a lawyer a to write a cease and an decease and desist letter to your neighbor threatening a defamation suit. ...

How to evict a squatter?

You could file suit pro se or hire a local landlord tenant attorney to do so if you cannot get the person to leave voluntarily.

We have gone a month without a working hvac system in our rental property. Can we legally ask for our rent to be lowered.

Anyone can ask a landlord to do something. If the landlord disagrees then it may take a lawsuit and a court judgment.

In class action cases the attorneys get paid through a judgment or court-approved settlement.