security deposit return damaged value vs repair

[Colleen F.]

This is a furnished student rental. It's not the first time it is come up but it is the first time it is probably going to be an issue. They break things and I charge for broken stuff as we are allowed per law. You break a couple glasses or put a slight ding in something I don't charge but you pour beer in something electronic we charge. It is sometimes a toss up to fix or replace something. Some things we replace if they are lost or major damage and charge accordingly. Normally though you can do a fix. This group broke a DVR/CD player and it just doesn't work at all. The repair would likely be more then the $200 it is worth. I am pretty sure they are going to take us to small claims court because their claim is it wasn't there or it is the cable companies problem. What documentation do you bring on cost for this type of item if they go to small claims court? Do you repair? or replace (which would be much > I charged them)?

Also if they go to court does the court look at everything? Are you obliged to honor only what is written in the letter as some costs were estimated and likely eventually higher. RI gives you only 20 days to return the security deposit so some things I just need to estimate.

I believe we have been very fair overall. They broke a sliding glass door which they acknowledge (little hard not to) but we have shopped to minimize the cost to them to replace so it is about $316 vs the $560 originally and didn't charge install just disposal. I would gladly give the disposal fee back if they came and took the door but I don't see that happening.