Tenant security deposit

[Balaji Varadharajan]

Hi all,

I have a couple of questions related to security deposit reconciliation and return. 

The tenant vacated last month after staying there for a little over two years. They have largely been good - paid rent on time, no issues generally. Below are a couple of disputed charges. 

1. What is considered "normal" wear and tear? I have to remove the nails on the walls, add fillers, touch up and repaint some part of the home. Is it normal to charge a portion of the total paint job, to the security deposit? If so, what would you suggest as the %?

2. The disposal in the kitchen is damaged and doesn't work. The tenant said the disposal broke just before they vacated, and they did not have time to request repair. We do have the clause in any standard lease, paragraph 18, that the tenant has to comply with the procedure of requesting repair if the landlord has to bear the cost of repair. In my case, I found out after they vacated, while inspecting the home.

Which of these can I cover with security deposit?

Thanks in advance.

[Andrew DeShong]

If it were me, them being good tenants and the fact I'd probably be repainting anyway, I'd just return the deposit.  The disposal most likely is just plugged and the breaker popped and needs to be reset. There's a little button on the bottom.  If not I'd just put a new one in and eat the cost. What's a new disposal, $200?  I'd just fix it and move on. Maybe I'm too nice.