I would say do not accept a deposit or any money until you have closed.

Did you collect any outstanding security deposit from the previous owner?

The land was once oil-producing and I believe it has shale deposits now.

You can get tenants to put it in their name, but it is a length process. they need a copy of the bill, a day waiting downtown with the water company paying additional deposit to have it put in their name.

Hi friends,  purchased my first rental in may this year, got it rented in mid June, signed a 12 month contract with tenant, about a week ago tenant sent me an 'official' email that there is a mice/rat problem, although there were cheaper options I went with professionals who were charging me 7-8x only because this is a long term investment and I wanted to get it solved, the pest professionals sealed the attic and set traps, they followed by couple of times to remove traps and refill bait boxes, my tenant now sent me lease termination letter citing health concerns due to mice/rat problem, they paid for current sept month and said that I can keep half the deposit for Oct.What should I do here, they have three small kids so I understand the reason for concern but I am also doing my best to solve the issue, should I go ahead and accept their termination or should I fight it out, not sure if involving lawyer is good as I am trying to make some cash flow and not lose it.. please advice also I am from Texas and would love to hear about TX law on this.

against security deposit.

I'm curious what others are charging as security deposits in C-class areas.

You can not control every step a tenant takes, however, your bestvstrategy is to protect yourself by plugging in verbiage into your lease agreement that states that tenant is required to use the vent hood when cooking and failure to do so which causes damage such as smell in drywall, discooratiins, etc will result in thetenants security deposit being forefieted.

It took me a long to pull the trigger on it because I didn't want to deposit money and have it sit there.  

She can move out anytime as soon as she find a new place, I would give her back the security deposit after she move out.