Tenant wants out after 3 days

[Tom Herzog]

On Friday, I signed a 12 month lease with my tenant. She paid the security deposit and first month's rent. By Monday she called, saying that she didn't want the house anymore and she wants a full refund. Her cited reason is due to the condition of the house. While filling out the move-in condition sheet, she noticed some minor issues- signs of water under the kitchen sink and by the laundry tub, roof sealing not complete, garage light burnt out, and signs of a mouse (I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe a mouse has lived there). I told her that I could have everything taken care of within a week, but she still wants out. 

I don't want to keep a tenant who doesn't want to be there, but I feel I'm owed something for the trouble of relisting and finding a new tenant. Per the terms of our lease, I can take one month's rent plus a fee for cancellation. Is it reasonable or should I consider giving her a full refund?

[Linda S.]

@Tom Herzog,

We had a similar situation, where a potential signed the lease, paid security deposit, and then the day after the lease started her father apparently did a crime search, and freaked her out because the area had a bad reputation.      We were in your shoes, didn't want someone there that wasn't long term...  so we told her, we'll start advertising it, do showings and try to get it rented ASAP, and she is responsible for the first month rent, or until we can get someone else to take over the lease.    We got  a new family in there  within 2-weeks, and  she was happy that we were able to refund her some of the money.     Can you try something like this?