Tenant trashed my home

[Sabuj Sengupta]

I had rented out my home in NJ in September 2014. The tenant signed a 1 year contract and paid a 1 and half month deposit. In June 2015 he said he will be vacating the premises and in 7 days time he said that he will stay on for another year. I sent him a new contract but he never signed the same. Since I was out of the country I could not visit him and ask him to sign. He just did not respond to my mails/calls regarding the same. But if there were any issues, he was prompt to text/call and I have taken care of everything. I let it go in good faith. He has never been late in rent payment.

The contract would have ended on August 31 2016. He sent me a text on the last week of July stating that he will be vacating the premises on August 7 and I should deduct pro rated rent from the advance. He also said that he does not have time to clean the house as he is in a hurry but I can have it professionally cleaned and deduct from his advance.

After he handed me over the keys, multiple things were in a disarray. The carpet is so dirty and stained that I cannot stay there with my 6 month old. He broke some of the kitchen cabinets. There were nails and holes all over the walls.

Could you please tell me what are my options. Can I get the repairs done and the carpet changed and charge him on his deposit? Can I ask him to pay the rent in full for August?