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Updated almost 9 years ago,
Returning Security Deposit, tenant damage vs normal wear and tear
One of my tenant lease ended and I was not available to do the exit walkthrough with them as I normally do. I told tenant to take pictures and that I would be there the following weekend to walk the home and that she was invited to come if available. I walked the home empty and noticed severe damages in several areas. The garage door was dented up like a car had hit it.
I gave permission in writing for tenant to replace the side door of garage with a door of her own with a window ac unit as she does craft and needed garage air conditioned. the original door was replaced but there were severe erosion on both the door jamb and walls which were not painted or repaired.
Damaged blinds, no cleaning done, including floors, stovetops nor oven, nor fridge. This is a no smoking property but written permission was given to smoke (one family member smokes) in the backyard only. the home and garage was reeking with smoke. the whole house had to be painted due to damaged, discolored walls. The bathrooms were not cleaned.
I paid for cleaning and painting and other repairs and contacted the tenant for a forwarding address to send a small return of her $800 security deposit. Personally the work done was more than $800. Out of good faith had decided to return $200. Tenant became upset saying this was all normal wear and tear and she should not be charged for it. So my questions is what is normal wear and tear. Tenant also has no forwarding address as she states she is moving out of state. Florida law states if I am withholding any portion of the security deposit that I return within 30 days. So my thought is to advise her that I will send the certified letter to her last known address which is the one she moved from and the post office will forward if they have been notified of a new address. She has threatened to take me to court for the full return of her deposit, so I dont want to meet with her to return anything. Should I be doing anything different.