Security deposit return

[Elizabeth M.]

Hi everyone, this is my very first post and I need some advice.

Background, I leased a house in CA to a pain in the neck family for 1 year. They broke the lease after 7 months, stating that I was unwilling to fix the shower. This is a lie. They wanted me to schedule workers after 5pm on weekdays or preferably on Sunday. I tried the best I could to schedule service around their needs, and sometimes they would not let the workers in the house. Trying to fix the shower was after I upgraded the electrical panel and got them a brand new water heater.  To say the least these people were impossible and I was happy to see them go. 

I handed my tenant the return deposit check, along with a return deposit letter. I refunded the entire deposit minus staying 10 extra days In the house. They left the place dirty and in order to get the keys back I did not charge the usual such as cleaning, touch up paint, re staining of hardwood floors, etc.

3 days after handing my tenant the deposit check, I receive a text message that he accidentally ripped the paper and check and needs a new one. 

Do I have to send him a new deposit check? Should I stop payment on the previous check?  And if I must send him another check, can I deduct for all the things that I should have the first time round, but since I just wanted the keys didn’t the first time? 

Thank you in advance, appreciate any advice.

[John Underwood]

I would have them mail you back the damaged check. Then send them a replacement. If they say they threw it away then do a stop payment and charge them for that.