Collecting From Tenants

[Sabrina Baldwin]

I've been landlording for ten plus years but only recently am I having an issue with tenants that move out before their lease is up and don't clean up the unit. They forfeit their deposit according to my lease when they move out early but then I don't have funds to recoup their cleaning fee. At what point is it not worth pursuing owed funds? Less than $100, $200 or $300?

The latest issue: Resident informs me that he'll be moving out at the end of the month (April 30th) but his lease is up May 31st. In the lease I have a specific clause that states the resident forfeits the deposit if the resident doesn't fulfill the full length of the lease. The resident also didn't pay the rent, $575, of the last month he occupies the unit and sends me a text saying he thought the deposit would cover the rent. I specifically told him this is not how it works. He moves out and leaves items in the apartment ranging from a whole bed, to dishes, food in the fridge and pantry, posters on the wall and a nasty stove. This resident owes about $737. How should I proceed in this situation? If I use an attorney, the fee will likely eat up the expenses that I'm trying to recoup. Also, how can I do a better job of preventing this in the future?

Sabrina