Skipping out early on a one year lease

[Jason Avila]

I made a mistake in trying to help someone out. Now I need to clean it up.

I’m in the Army and purchased a house, came down on orders to move 6 months later. Had just started renovations and was on the clock to finish so we could get it rented out. Found someone interested in the place even though it was still in Reno mode. Kitchen master bath and floors being redone. They signed a 1 year lease as is and understood the work would continue for a little bit as they moved in. 3 weeks into the lease I get a call from the tenant asking to put in a 30 day notice due to the work. I only let them in before it was complete to get them into a place since they were in immediate need.

Question is, is this grounds to retain their deposit? Now I have to find a new tenant while still trying to finish the work with someone in the place. I know, rookie mistake. Lesson learned.