You can't be held responsible for what THEY decide to do.I wouldn't deny access to the house though.  

So it does hold their money for a few days but it's held on the tenants time not mine.

Could they be acting on behalf of a different person/entity that held the note?

We itemize under each category with specifics, here is an example from one of our move-outs:CREDITAmount held as Security Deposit: $800DEBIT Less Deductions for Missing Items: $3010 year lithium battery from smoke detector ($10)Seat cushion from kitchen bench ($20)Less Deductions for Damages: $170Patio – stain ($20)     Living Room – one broken window pane ($50)     Living Room – five inch spot on carpet from black sharpie pen ($50)     Living Room – one broken wand on blinds ($5)      Front Bedroom – one bent curtain rod ($5)Back Bedroom - door handle bent ($10)     Kitchen - cabinet drawer wood broken ($30)Less for Extra Cleaning $110Stove Top ($25)     Range Hood ($20)     Kitchen Sink ($20)     Ceiling Fan ($15)     Walls – extra cleaning of grime & pen marks ($10)     Floor Vents - debris in ducts ($10)     Outside Debris ($10)Less for Unpaid Utilities $12     Electric (changed by tenant too early, $12 for Nov 20 to Nov 30)[Credits $800 Less Debits $322 = $468]Total Due from Landlord to Tenant (Check Enclosed) $468

I then bought a commercial vacant lot I paid 17 k for and held it a few years then sold it for 55k owner financed...Not every one wants to live in a cookie cutter subdivision with rules.

Each auction is held at each property by an auction house or occasionally by an attorney. 

There are a few areas over there where things have held together alright.

If the current owner has held the property for a long time, there might be things they haven't done, but that you will have to do. 

I held on to my "9-5" for nearly 3 years before eventually quitting.

I do know this is exactly what will help me defeat theclimiting beliefs that held me back in the past and make my start.