tenant gave notice and an ultimatum

[Matthew Paul]

Just got a call from my tenant that gave their 30 days notice .She wants to meet me tomorrow at noon for her final walk thru . Now she says she wont give me the keys until I give her security deposit in full ., then and there . I explained to her thats not how it works , I mentioned some of the damages than I noticed from the outside  ( all the screens and frames are gone , grass is tall , beds are full of weeds ( real small but her responsibility )  And I havent seen the inside empty . I explained I have 45 days .  She says , then I wont get the keys for 45 days .   I told her to go read the Md laws , and that playing that game could be very expensive to her .  She then screams the screens were cheap and thats not her problem   ( brand new windows and screens ) She wont cut the grass the lawn is too big .      

i told her tomorrow , she signs that she has given up the house , hands me the keys  ( I change the locks anyway )  Screens , grass and anyother damages are deducted from the deposit . If not she is still renting and i will file for an eviction etc .   She then says if I dont have a check in hand I wont sign a thing and no keys . 

I am taking a witness with me tomorrow 

[Account Closed]

I highly suggest that you resist getting into any arguments with her at all.  It would be great if your witness could also video record it all.

Your mission:  Ignore her completely, as you walk though and write everything down that relates to the walk through, and say it out loud for the camera.  Ignore all of her arguments and attempts to discuss any of it.

At the very beginning, for the camera, in front of the tenant,  I would say that because the tenant has threatened to not hand over the keys unless you immediately turn over her security deposit in cash, that you are deliberately not engaging in any arguments with the tenant, that you brought a witness, and you are putting everything in writing and also saying out loud what you have written down.  That you have explained the laws regarding returning security deposits, but the tenant has still said she would not hand over the keys until she receives her deposit, even though law says you have 45 days.

When you are through with your walk-through, take a photo of the written walk-through document, unless you can otherwise make a copy right then and there.

Turn to the tenant and ask for the keys.  If she refuses, turn to the camera and witness and say, "In front of the witness and the video recording, the tenant has refused to vacate."  To the tenant say, "As you are still in possession of the premises, I will begin eviction proceedings immediately."

Then, if her tenancy is up, I would hand her the eviction notice right then and there in front of the witness and the camera.

That's what I'd do.  I don't suffer bullies.