refund security deposit or not?

[Shannon Trivett]

On March 13th my tenant told me his intention to purchase a home. His 6 month lease was terminating on the 31st and he wanted to know if he could hold over on the weekly bases. 

when I questioned it he countered with  "or do the month"

later he informed me he would pay April. 

I was able to schedule an open house for the 21 and 22nd. At the end of the OH tenant verbally informed me I could not have anyone thru the following weekend because they intended to move all their stuff out to avoid paying for April. 

I have not been able to show the apt. since the open house and I've gotten many calls. 

Sunday evening he also informed me there is a broken storm window in the bathroom. presumably a neighbor kid hit it  with a stray shot form a bb gun.

1. how would you handle April rent?

2. what about the storm window?

Thanks

[Lew Payne]

Assuming you have a rental or lease agreement, any time a tenant communicates with you regarding something that potentially modifies the lease, your response should be that, "Per the lease, modifications are invalid unless in writing and signed by both parties.  For your protection and to avoid any misunderstandings, please provide me with a written proposal to review - as soon as possible."  In addition, follow that up with a letter reiterating what you said.

I only text my tenants to inform them of the need for a contractor to enter the premises, or for work that is going to be done outside the premises. The more a tenant resists courtesy notices, the more formal I get in my communication with them - to the point where I'm citing conditions of their contract with each request (e.g., "Pursuant to section 10.3(a) of your rental contract, you are hereby given the required 24 hours notice that remediation of a window leak will commence on the premises by Acme Construction, LLC. Should Acme not be able to access the premises, I will escort them in pursuant to section 10.3(b) of your rental contract. Should you have any questions regarding your contract, feel free to address them in writing."