Should Tenants Use Security Deposit Toward Rent

[Alexander F Pollock]

The tenant would like to use their security deposit towards May rent because May's late fees will cause them to be late for June & July. They would have to refill the security deposit, which would just cause them to still be late and probably incur more fees. Their lease is up in September. They do have a cosigner because of bad credit.  Should the cosigner pay and work it out between themselves? Thoughts on allowing them to use the security deposit?

Thanks in advance.

[Bill B.]

They can’t use the security deposit for rent because…

It’s to cover damage and losses at move out,not rent

Like you said, refilling it will also cause them to be short in the future

You set a bad precedent

There’s a reason There are late fees and they shouldn’t be high enough to cause lasting problems

Let them borrow form co-signer who would eventually be responsible anyway to save late fees

“I’m sorry  I have to treat every tenant the same or I could be accused of a fair housing violation if I charge a tenant late fees in the future.”