General Landlording & Rental Properties
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies

Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal


Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback
Updated over 12 years ago on . Most recent reply
Security deposit fees for excessive people living in unit
I'm taking back control of several properties which I formerly had someone (poorly) managing for me. In one of them, I have a tenant whose lease is up for renewal, and I'm planning on not renewing the lease because he has 3 additional adults living in his unit beyond what is on the lease. He's been living there for 3 years, and my water bill has been consistently very high that entire time. I pay $250/month for a 2-unit property, which is the same as what I pay at another 4-unit property I own (this includes, trash).
My question is, can I deduct monies from his security deposit because of the lease violation or the excessive water usage caused by excessive people living in the unit?
My understanding is I could evict him for having too many people, and that if I evicted him I'd be able to keep his security deposit, but I don't want to go through that process.