Return last months rent?

[Gail W.]

New here...need California Landlord advice!

I used to rent out rooms to my daughter's friends at our home. I needed to rent out the master quickly, as my hubby and I moved out. Went the Craigslist route. Took on a college gal.

Made the roomie agreement stipulate that the first month's rent of $1000 and the last month's rent of $1000 was due on move in with a 30 day notice required if she ever wanted to move. (month to month agreement). No security deposit.

She moved in on Aug 15th. After a lot of BS with this gal and a HUGE disturbance to the other 3 roomies, , she texts me on Aug 25th this isn't for her and she's moving out asap!

She ended up moving right out on 9/10. She was so nutty and verbally abusive that I emailed her yes- move out and I will refund you your last month's rent of $1000 after move out. She really scared the other girls!

My hubby got angry with me and said no- we are NOT refunding her the last months rent as she did not give a 30 day notice and we went to a lot of trouble and expense to prep the room for her.

So now what can we do?? CAN we keep that last month's rent? Even if I emailed her that I wouldn't hold her to a 30 day? We have NO funds to do so at this time as we are prepping the house to rent out to a regular family- no more room mate stuff!!