Bad tenant finally left. Deposit refund.

[Carol Hensal]

After several months of non-payment, and over $4,000 of lost rent payment, she's finally gone!  The unit is a mess and will need at least $1500 in repairs and clean up.  We still have $750 of her deposit that will be applied to the repairs.

Do I have to send her a letter of explanation about the non-refund of the deposit?   What if her whereabouts is unknown at this point?

[Adam Martin]

If you didn't give her cash for keys or offer to waive the debt if she agreed to leave just send a certified letter to her last known address which will be the address of your property most likely stating she will not get it back due to unpaid rent as well as itemizing what is owed.  It will most likely be returned to you, keep it unopened in case they try to pull anything.  I would also file a claim in small claims for the remainder, who knows  you may collect something but if not you can at least put the rest of us on notice for not much money out of pocket.