Existing tenant - security deposit

[Cody McVay]

Hello Bp!

I recently purchased a duplex in Columbus, OH. When I purchased the property I received the existing lease which stated a $0 security deposit. I had the tenant sign an estoppel agreement and he stated he paid an $800 security deposit.

He did have proof from the guy who owned the property before the owner I purchased from that he paid the security deposit.

How should I handle this? Is this a scenario where I need to eat the deposit? Should I get an attorney involved?

Thank you all for the help in advance!

[Russell Brazil]

That should have been taken care of before you closed on the property. Now that you already closed, you are responsible for the security deposit.