Unfortunately for you and most new landlords (myself included), tenants will play to your emotional side, and being a nice person you want to work with them.

But I’m just unsure about the whole thing, it sounds like this tenant has a real emotional need so i don’t think it’s a fake.

Don't make emotional decisions.

But I’m just unsure about the whole thing, it sounds like this tenant has a real emotional need so i don’t think it’s a fake.

There are times when you feel above everything – like a Superman, and then there are times when you are unable to get anything done properly.You need to recognize these highs and lows as nothing more than alternating emotions.

@Sean EzeamamaAs a rule, a long and passionate message shows the problem is more emotional than procedural.

In my state the reason deposits are held in escrow accounts is so a neutral third party has the money in the event of a conflict like you are describing.Your first mistake was to get into a hurry: I could be completely wrong but it sounds like you made a hasty decision based on emotion and not on what may have been best for your situation.

Also, try to remove emotion from it, and rely a little less on you "really smart agent."

It is all part of dealing with the different way humans thoughts and emotions and I'm not going to give those thoughts or emotions one second of thought because I need to stay focused on what I need to to and not worry about what the tenants think.

They have unauthorized pets, unless the pull the old trick of these pets are “emotional support” or “service animals”, the. that’s a whole other issue, especially since you are in California