Tenant damage to stainless refrigerator

[George Sutton]

Day after tenant moved in, we installed a brand new stainless refrigerator. A year later, they have moved out. They apparently used the FRONT of the stainless fridge for a bulletin board. All 3 doors have scratches and small dents, and it appears they used some kind of abrasive to try to remove the scratches. The finish is ruined. The doors can't be refinished, and must be replaced. Cost is $957.

I was thinking of offering the refrigerator to the tenant (they moved into a huge home with a basement and I think they could use a refrigerator in the basement). If they'd take the refrigerator and replace it with a new one of the exact same model, I would not deduct the $957 from their security. If they don't want the refrigerator I will have the repair made and deduct the money from their deposit.

Is this approach appropriate?

Thanks

[Steve Babiak]

That fridge is too expensive to have in a rental. I just bought a four appliance kitchen package in stainless for less than $2K for the total package.