What to do when some of the tenants in a rental leave?

[Stephen Homes]

I have a NJ rental (good 5 bedroom rental house, but not so good neighborhood and therefore not so good tenants). 3 adults, 4 kids and pets. 10 months prior to the end of the lease (All 3 adults signed one lease. No individual leases), on July 2nd, 2 adults, and their kids and all pets left without returning the keys. Each group claims that they paid the last month rent and security deposit. The lady who stayed, love the house and want to start a new lease and have new housemates as she can’t pay the whole rent (she paid half the rent end of June). FYI, I don’t want to take anyone to court. As with this type of tenants it is almost impossible to collect the debt. Share your thoughts on what is the best decision to make. Thank you.

1. If I keep the current lease, even in the best scenario if the tenant pays the rent (which is unlikely) then how would I deal with the security deposit at the end?

2. One solution is to let the lady break the lease and leave in exchange of my keeping the last month rent and security deposit. Then I use the money to get the place repaired and rented.