Where to go for help when Mom moved out of her rented house and the landlord sent her a bill that was 4 times amount of her rent?

If the owner of the property is the slumlord POS type, well those will often send out a "bill" for all sorts of charges due so that they can write these off as costs or expenses on their taxes. They know full well that the low income renter can't & won't ever pay it, but it's all done to "up" expenses on the property to reduce taxes.

First check with the agency (usually a local housing authority) that handles her Section 8 to see what they say. Owing a landlord may prevent her from getting into federally subsidized housing in the future - if she can still do that (sounds like she may need assisted living instead). A legal aide office may help - but their goal is usually to keep the client in the home. If SSI is her only income, she could be "judgment proof" meaning that the landlord could win a small claims court suit, but never be able to collect.

You can take the letter to a legal aid office if you have that where you live. But if your mother was living in Section 8 she probably doesn't have any real assets and I'm wondering what would happen if you just ignored the letter (for now) because 1. she can't pay it and 2. it may not even be legitimate. Some Section 8 landlords are "slum lords" and will try to squeeze tenants for money to which they aren't entitled. If he takes it to small claims court then you can handle it then. And get POA for your mother because you're going to need it regardless of what happens with this landlord. Good luck.

snybecca, had this home been given the stamp of approval by the County to be a Section 8 rental? What happens is that if someone has a home they want to rent out, the County comes in to inspect the property, asked for this or that to be changed/fixed and the home goes on a list as being approved to accept Section 8 tenants.

Did the landlord say what these extra charges were for? Was your Mom breaking her lease? Sometimes a landlord can charge for the remainder of the Lease plus security deposit and charges for extra cleaning/repairs. Was your Mom behind in her rent? Or the County not paying the share of the rent?

As long as you followed the rules and have proof, file a complaint with the nearest HUD office.

What provisions are in the lease addressing these issues? I assume when you notified him that it was in writing? Was your mother's name the only name on the lease?