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Updated 5 months ago on . Most recent reply

Should I just pay off a renter and call it a stupid tax?
I had a renter cause damage. I deducted $250 from her deposit. (room in my house)
I have statement from the plumber she caused the leak, pictures, and receipt from contractor for mold mitigation. The leak went through the floor, ceiling and onto the basement floor. Thankfully I didn't need to replace the floor or ceiling.
She is threatening to sue, wants contact info of the plumber and receipts. (to harass my plumber/contractor) (The plumber left me hanging a few years ago so he fixed the problem for free, she has NO need for his contact info)
I sent her pictures of the damage and offered her the $50 cleaning fee back.
I do not want to engage further. She is just going to keep going and lying and coming up with excuses why she didn't cause the damage, such as mold is Landlord responsibility or soaked ceiling boards are normal wear and tear.
She also owes me Sept rent but chose to move out early which thankfully she got out as usually that can be a huge battle.
I also paid her $425 which she had worked off for Sept rent. Her mother was harrassing me.
Most people are reasonable and take responsibility for damages they caused but I am not working with a reasonable person. Her medicaid and SNAP applications have come to my house and she lost her job and multiple lease violations in the few 5 mo she was here..
Should I just cut my losses.
I have done everything within legal bounds correctly and have all the evidence to defend the deductions.
Most Popular Reply

Quote from @Mackensie Matze:
This is a common mistake. You followed the lease and the law, and you've treated the tenant fairly.
Give them the final statement and shut off all communication. You are under no obligation to argue back and forth, answer questions, provide phone numbers, send pictures, or any of this nonsense. She is trying to mentally wear you down so you will pay her to go away.
Tenants threaten to sue all the time. Get used to it. She will not waste money and time to file a Small Claims Suit over a $200 charge when she knows you have evidence to back up your charges.
Cut off communication immediately. Block her phone number and email. If she sends a letter, file it away without responding.
- Nathan Gesner
