So over 2 months and no security deposit back

Total pr*ck! How obnoxious to try to emotionally blackmail you to not cash the check. 

I'm glad you got your money back!

Yay!  Don't feel bad for making him angry - he knew he had no legal leg to stand on which is why he wrote you the cheque!

Exactly!! That's what I thought too.   

He knew that if went to court, he'd have to give it up anyways. I had a very good case as my letter spelled out.   Plus, honestly, I just wanted him to show me the reciepts for the work and I would have gladly paid that. But he didn't have them, showing that he made up the numbers off the top of his head.   

Plus the money is really useful right now!

phatbeetle, that's fantastic!

And please - don't feel bad. Do you think he loses sleep at night for dragging you through this mess? 

What's funny is that, had he done it properly from the get-go, he probably could have kept some of your deposit.