Landlord Question and Answer Forum

I had a tenant that paid theie security deposit but when moving out they trampled the landscape, drove their vehicle on the lawn damaging grass, took down the porch railing to move their stuff out without permission, left the tile, window blinds, & tub dirty also we ended up halfing to paint the entire duplex, this tenant refused to do a exit walk through because they were in a hurry to get out of town. Also they had left the water running in which soaked the ground and sunk the air conditioner. They are demanding their money back and not wanting to pay for the time of cleaning and so on which clearly states in the agreement any damages done to the property or any cleaning we do is $25 an hour. He is demanding reciepts for all the work we have done. What do I need to do from here?

While you can't deduct for "normal wear and tear" what they did was NOT that. That was neglect and damage which you can deduct for. I would itemize all deductions and return any security deposit to them that is left with said itemized deduction list. Don't let these people walk all over you.

Posted by Dawn A, WI on Monday, July 9, 2012