Renting to Prospective Tenant who escrowed Rent with Previous Landlord

[Brian Van Pelt]

New situation for me.

Renting to Prospective Tenant who escrowed Rent with Previous Landlord

The following information was forwarded with rental application.

A prospective tenant escrowed their rent with their previous landlord because the apartment complex could not fix their hot water heater. The tenant paid into their escrow account every month promptly and on time.  The apartment complex sued tenant for back rent. The court decided in favor of tenant and allowed them to break the lease. A portion of the escrow went to apartment complex and a portion to tenant. (do not know amounts). The period of time was 10 months of escrow. The tenant is now trying to recover escrow from landlord.

My thoughts are i'm reluctant to rent to prospective tenant due to unease over the possibility of a similar situation in the future. Other then this the prospective tenant semes to be a qualified candidate which would be verified once checks are completed base on application information.

Anyone else encounter a similar situation or have thoughts ?