Have you ever given a tenants deposit back too early?

[Jonathan W.]

Have you ever given a tenants deposit back too early and then discovered damages upon further review?

What were they and why did you miss them?

Also did you send them a bill?

[Nathan Gesner]

Very early on, I had a tenant ask if I could refund half his deposit the day he moved out because he really needed the gas money. I would still have the other half for cleaning. I agreed even though my gut told me not to.

Sure enough, he moved out and I discovered the 9-month-old carpet was trashed in the living room. He was a short-order cook and tracked grease in on his shoes every day, leaving a track right down the living room and bedroom carpet that could not be cleaned. $1800 in repairs and I had $300 from his deposit.

Don't even use the deposit for anything when the tenant lives there. Don't ever refund a dime until the tenant is completely out, has returned the keys, and you've inspected in detail.