Inherited Lease Agreement/Security Deposit

[Samuel J Claeson]

Hello,

My wife and I recently purchased a Triplex in Minnesota and inherited tenants in each unit. Since we purchased the home using an FHA loan, we are required to occupy the home for one year. Therefore, I had to give notice for one of the tenants to vacate.

The tenant that will be leaving has lived in the unit for over a year and has a $600 security deposit, which the previous owner/landlord gave to us at closing.  We want to deduct from the security deposit, but the previous owner/landlord did not have a move-in checklist for when the tenant first moved in. 

The tenant treated the unit horribly. There is damage and it is absolutely FILTHY. Are we allowed to deduct from the security deposit?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,

-Sam