Landlord Question and Answer Forum

Forum / General Property Management / Tenant refuses to return keys
Tenant refuses to return keys
I have a tenant in MD who is breaking her lease and moving out early but refuses to return the keys until I refund her security deposit. Do I have to give her some sort of notification that I'm changing the locks once she is out? She has not signed anything stating her move out date.
L S, VA on Friday, August 13, 2010
RE: Tenant refuses to return keys
The security deposit is used for this purpose , for new locks or damages, now you have to check with your state tenant laws. What kind of lease does she have, how much on her lease left does she have. ?
Posted by Donald G, MA on Saturday, August 14, 2010
RE: Tenant refuses to return keys
Definitely check state tenant laws... frankly some state laws do not require security deposit to be returned before move-out. Some states allow up to 30 days after move-out, which would mean in these states she cannot hold the keys until security is returned. She must also wait until you have done a walk-through with her to determine if she is even entitled to get a refund of deposit. If she is breaking her lease, she has to provide a notice of 30 days or more - that should give you her moving time frame.
Posted by Lynn S, GA on Tuesday, August 17, 2010
See more Virginia Lease Agreement resources
Documents related to this forum:

Rent Receipt

Email-able
 

Rent Receipt

This standard rent receipt records every aspect of a tenant’s payment, including amount, payment type, and date. Also includes memo space for individualized record-keeping.
Document Features
  • Email-able

Property Management Agreement - Property Management Contract

Auto-fill Document Email-able
 

Property Management Agreement - Property Management Contract

This is a contract executed between a landlord and a property manager, outlining the responsibilities of each party and the agreed-upon fee structure.
with State Assist guidelines
Document Features
  • Auto-fill Document
  • Email-able

Lease Renewal Notice

Auto-fill Document Works with Window Envelopes Email-able Custom Logo Compatible Editable
 

Lease Renewal Notice

Extend the terms of an existing lease with just a few clicks of the keyboard using this customizable form.
Document Features
  • Auto-fill Document
  • Works with Window Envelopes
  • Email-able
  • Custom Logo Compatible
  • Editable

Direct Deposit Billing Authorization

Email-able
 

Direct Deposit Billing Authorization

This document asks for the tenants authorization to automatically debit a tenants' bank account for the rent each month.
Document Features
  • Email-able

Highest Rated Discussions
Author: Jacob W, WI
Updated: 05/01/2012
Rating: Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1
Author: Thomas T, MA
Updated: 01/03/2012
Rating: Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1
Author: David A, WA
Updated: 06/01/2011
Rating: Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1
Author: Keith C, VA
Updated: 10/01/2010
Rating: Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1
Author: The D, CA
Updated: 09/08/2010
Rating: Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1 Star 1

The forum is completely free to anyone! If you wish to post a message, you must log in. If you are not registered already, Join today to create a free account!

Any comments and opinions that are expressed by the users of this forum are solely those of the authors, and have not been reviewed or approved by ezLandlordForms.

Select Your State

Select your state to begin using our exclusive State Assist features and to see State-Specific forms:
Outside the U.S.? Click here.

Create a 100% Free Trial Account to:

  • Download our Free Rental Forms
  • Test drive our Lease Builder Wizard
  • Preview our premium forms
  • Get answers on our Landlord Forum
  • No obligations - no payment information required!
Create Free Trial Account

Satisfaction
Guaranteed

Trusted by Over
115,000 Property
Managers, Realtors,
Attorneys, and Landlords!
More Info
Watch our fun video about ez Landlord Forms: 'Kevin & the Lease Builder Wizard'

Feature Spotlight: Auto-fill Documents

Eliminate all of the hassle and aggravation of using standard forms with our exclusive Auto-Fill feature. Enter your tenant's information once, and our system will insert that information automatically into each document. This feature can also auto-fill your form for multiple tenants with just a few simple clicks of the mouse.
Need Help? If you cannot find answers to your questions on our website, you can contact ezLandlordForms for support.
Feedback and Comments Have Comments About This Page?  Send Feedback
Click to verify BBB accreditation and to see a BBB report. HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.
ez Landlord Forms products and services are reviewed and approved by attorneys, accountants, fellow landlords, or industry experts.
ez Landlord Forms is not a law firm and our products and services are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Copyright © 2006-2012, ezLandlordForms LLC. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | ezLandlordForms Affiliate Program
Powered by Pliner Solutions, Inc.