Retain security deposit?

[Seth Levey]

I am about to turn over a rental unit that I bought a few months ago with inherited tenants. They have been good tenants and paid on time every month. There is some drywall damage that I plan to fix at turnover. They say it was there when they moved in but the prior landlord did not do a move in checklist and they have no documentation. I am not sure I can just take their word for it. Would you? Thanks BP! Seth

[Ray Harrell]

Better to just return the deposit. It's incumbent upon the landlord to provide that checklist. It must not be that bad if you've waited all this time to fix it.