The contractor is not paid until job is complete, so you can minimize risk of them taking your deposit and not showing up to work. 

I do plan on taking that portion from her deposit.

If you leave the property by the lease expiration date AND leave the property clean and in as good condition as you found it I will not charge rent for Jan. and I will return the security deposit in full" I made the offer contingent on them responding to my message. 

If you can get your deposit back and be made whole, I would definitely walk away from this one.

Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

I'd also ask for a higher security deposit, but otherwise would probably consider renting to them.

Security deposit needs to be returned minus deductions.

Tons of practical advice from marketing, screening, dealing with lease violations, evictions, inspections, security deposits, and more.

I have a past tenant that will not respond to calls, voicemail, email, text so that we can return his deposit and mail.

Do I form an LLC, how do banks look at money deposited in my account, profit sharing etc.