Security Deposit Disputes

[Allison Karrels]

I have a property manager who runs some homes for me in Florida - today I got this email from her:

I have made a security deposit claim for $518.99 (out of a $1,100 deposit) --  Cleaning $225.00, general repair items $82.25, $150.00 yard service, $30 trash removal, and our usual Admin fee $25 and $6.74 Certified Mailing.

The tenant has disputed the claim and is threatening to take this to court. While I feel that we would be within our rights to claim most of this, it would not make sense to have a possible law suit over $500 that would possibly involve court costs and legal fees for both sides, if we didn't prevail.

So I am inclined to just return it to not deal with the hassle. Thoughts?

What would you guys do in this situation - the property manager is not a big company, they don't have a legal team waiting to swoop in and fight this (which I am sure the tenant knows).   We already have new tenants moved in to the house and spending $518 in turnover isn't a major deal financially - I am more annoyed that the old tenant would dispute it and immediately threaten a law suit.