Advice with Tenant Refusing to pay for repairs

[Tyler Turpin]

I am having my first real issues with a tenant as a landlord: the tenant refuses to pay for repairs to screens. Am I allowed to hire for the repairs then take it from the deposit? The tenant called an inspector from the rent stabilization ordinance and they are making me fix the screens and fix a lock (which she did not tell me about). I saw (with my own eyes) the tenants dog jump on the window sill, against the screen and break through it. It was barking at me from inside the unit. All of my screens are now damaged or missing. The tenant as a whole is terrible. Late every month, neighbors complain about the dog barking, very very hard on the unit (baseboards, walls, doors). I only leave her as I am rent controlled and she pays a late fee ($100) extra every month. Any advice?

[Craig Jackson]

Repairs can be deducted from Deposit.. Just be sure to check the laws in your state. I know in Louisiana, we aren't required to hold the funds in a trust account or separate "deposit" account, so theoretically we can use the deposit funds for such at time of occurrence. In addition, when a tenant moves and provide an itemized invoice detailing the reason for the deduction.