Unpaid dues from ex

I'm pretty sure I already kno the answer to this, but here it goes anyways.
I rented an apt with an ex boyfriend 3 yrs ago. Both of our names were on the lease along with my father who co signed for us. After about 10 months into our lease I realized it was no longer working out and my ex refused to move out. I couldn't take it being there any longer, so I moved out. Immediately after I moved out my ex began having parties and who knows what else in that apt. He continued to pay the rent for the remainder of the 2 months but damages to the apt were definately done! They had to rip out all of the carpet (that was brand new when we moved out) windows had to be replaced, large holes in walls/ doors, ects. Not long after the lease ended and he moved out I received a notice saying in order to cover all our damages they were keeping our $600 deposit and needed another $495! I immediately called my ex and he said it would be taken care of (my mistake for believing him)
Fast forward 3 yrs. I moved into my own apt and after my credit check and background check I was approved. Nothing came up as un paid. ( again my mistake still assuming it was taken care of) after my lease ended I received my full deposit back aside from normal cleaning fees like shampooing. A month ago I attempted to move into an apt in a different city. And that's when I found out my past was back to haunt me. The apt we shared showed up during my background check. (why this time n not last I have no idea) I made all the necessary calls to find out what was going on. They said he attempted to make a payment of $50 back in 06 but it didn't even clear. Since then there was no other attempt. I got in contact with my ex and his response was he thought he took care of it. (I don't think I need to get into detail what a "brain surgen" this guy is) He said he didn't have a problem when he moved in with his last ex. I explained I too didn't have a problem getting into my last apt. But it didn't matter, it still needed to be paid. He kept giving me the run around so I had no choice but to take care of it myself. I had to hand over the deposit from my apt and give it to the creditors of our apt. After I paid it I told him and he agreed to giving me half last month and half this month. I've yet to receive anything and to be honest I'm not holding my breath. I tried to be nice about it and offered him to pay me in payments, but I'm fed up. Is there anything I can do now to get him to pay? Any advice is helpful.
Thank you.

Sorry for your situation. There is really only way remedy here, and that would be to first send him a demand letter via certified mail--return receipt requested. If that does not do the trick, your next step would be to sue him in small claims court. No lawyer is required, the filing fees are modest, and these forums are quite "user friendly". Another step would be to submit dispute letters to all three major credit reporting agencies. They have 30 days to confirm or remove the negative information. If they refuse to do so, you could still submit an explanatory letter giving your side of the story. This would be included each time an inquiry was made into your credit. A good place for more information is Federal Trade Commission. Hope things work out. AJJ

Thank u so much for your advice! I will definately look into doing so.
Thank you again.

I have the same issue and wil try this too!