Tenant Vacated & only paid for 14 days

[J.N. Miller]

Tenant gave legal  notice to vacate , BUT only paid for two weeks(left on 14th & paid to 14th) paid $700 out of $1400 rent. -- .  I intend to take the remaining two weeks out of her damage/security deposit and refund everything else as the house is fine minus normal wear and tear.

How would other landlords handle this? Im in Washington state.

[David Long]

What conditions are stipulated in the lease?  Most good leases do not allow the tenant to just pick up and leave.  They hold the tenant responsible for the entire term of the lease or until the landlord finds a new tenant.  If you have a good term lease, you can likely retain the entire amount of the deposit unless you rent the property prior to the time the deposit no longer pays for rent.  Read your lease closely however, and get legal help if you don't understand it.

 If your tenant was on a month-to-month lease, again read the lease and see what conditions are stipulated.

If you didn't have a lease, refund the money beyond 14 days because you won't have a leg to stand on in small claims court if the tenant takes action against you.  Next time, have your tenants sign a lease that you fully understand.