POH are a part of our industry whether you keep them, sell them or tear them down. 

While they've paid rent on time each month, the wear and tear along with the mess are too much to continue lease.

The stock market has been on a tear this year… so if you could make 25% on your money in the stock market (as has been the case year to date), you are better off leaving your mortgages in place and investing the money in ETF’s, etc.  

But a clogged toilet that's because of regular wear-tear over the years?

Then there is inevitably the cost overruns that come when you tear into something and realize “oh, this has to be fixed too!”  

Our favorite part of this job is literally giving the section 8 ladies the keys. 9 out of 10 times there are a lot of tears. 

Am I obligated to return the deposit (minus any that goes to cover damages beyond normal wear and tear) even though he breaks the lease?

They say it might be a tear down...who knows...Building in the area is pretty high.

Hopefully, you have a clause in your lease that states the tenant must return the property back to you in the same or better condition as they received it.You may be able to use this clause to warn the tenant to smoke outside or face damage charges as smoke damage is not normal wear & tear.

Once the tenants vacated, I realized I severely underestimated the amount of wear and tear the property sustained after they've lived in it for over a year.