Security Deposit Deduction - Damaged Irreplaceable Items (Parts)

[Ronald Roetsel]

Hi,

How would you estimate security deposit deduction if a tenant broke almost all shelves, bins, and drawers in a high end fridge? The fridge was bough approx 5 years ago for ~$2K and unfortunately neither manufacturer nor online appliance part stores offer replacements (original or 3rd party). I ended up with a fridge which works great, but it is totally useless.

Thank you,

RR

[Alex Saleeby]

So the moral of the story here @Ronald Roetsel is: Don't put a high-end fridge in a rental unit with potentially low-end tenants. Go with your basic, no frills variety - top freezer, NO ice maker, metal wire shelves and fairly indestructible. 

Having said that, as far as the particular dilemma that you are in, why waste so much time trying to be scientific about how much to deduct, etc. How much is your time worth to you? If you are still able to communicate with the former tenant, what about making them part of the solution. Why not inform them that if they want to see any of their security deposit back, they need to solve the problem that they created (and acknowledged it!) either by finding and buying the replacement parts for you, or by buying a replacement fridge for you that meets your criteria. You may specify finish, capacity, and other basic features. If the tenant is agreeable to that arrangement, you save yourself a bunch of time and get the problem resolved. 

Keep in mind that lost opportunity of re-renting the now vacant unit as well. Put a time limit on this endeavor and don't let it drag on. Get a new, better screened tenant in the vacant unit to get some positive cash flow going again.

What do you think?