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Updated over 5 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Lue Brooks's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/719197/1621496033-avatar-lueb.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=1238x1238@0x0/cover=128x128&v=2)
Tenants leaving early. Not paying last months rent. BEDBUGS?
I recently have experienced my my first move out. The tenants left a month early. I told them that they are still responsible for the last months rent but I would find a new tenant to replace their time to help them save on moving out early. Well they ended up leaving and taking the keys with them. I got in and have inspected it and I saw a bed bug spray in there in the lease it said they are responsible for bed bugs. I called to get them to give me their return address but they ignored my calls but I found their current mailing address on google. Am I able to mail them a bill for the remaining rent plus a bed bug inspection? Also the security deposit can’t be used toward rent.
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@Lue Brooks They owe you at least a month’s rent (and possibly left you bed begs), why are you concerned about returning their security deposit? Deduct what they legally owe you from it and just mail them any required notice of security deposit deduction/accounting.
You say “the security deposit can’t be used toward rent” but that’s not the law, so I’m curious why you believe that. I have a feeling it’s because your lease probably has a clause that says the TENANT isn’t supposed to use their security deposit toward the last month’s rent. However, that doesn’t prevent you from applying it toward what they owe you.
(If there’s some other reason you believe you can’t use the security deposit toward past due rent owed perhaps you could explain so we could help you.)