Tenant wants me to accept deposit as last months rent

[Dan Miles]

Hi Everyone!  I have a dilemma with a tenant.  I am not signing a new lease with her.  Nothing was done because she’s a horrible tenant, it’s just a personal issue that requires me possessing the property.  I have given 3 months notice ahead of her lease ending that we would not be signing again.  She is stating she can be out one month earlier than lease ending (which I’m fine with) but is now half month late on rent.  She is asking if she is out by the 1st of September if I can accept the deposit as the current months(last month) rent payment.  Supposedly has been approved for another rental. Thoughts?  I feel like I’m opening the possibility of problems with a stay over, or the place is left with damage and cleanliness problems without recourse.  But, if I don’t accept and she doesn’t pay then I’m possibly in the eviction process after she’s left which means I’m still not paid and I’m out time and money for court.  Any ideas?

[John Underwood]

This is why my deposit is always higher than the rent.

This encourages the tenant to pay the last months rent and clean the house so they their higher deposit back.