If you tried to withhold the deposit the tenant may decide to press their case in course and you would most likely have a difficult time convincing a judge that these issues are the tenants responsibility... especially since you don't have evidence of the condition before move in.Anytime I am purchasing a property where I am inheriting tenants I always assume that I will be returning the entire deposit to the tenant and I build that into my numbers.

I also really love Nolo Press books. 

Did you make sure to press the importance of doing so?

I will check out Nolo Press - I like their books

I think you'd be hard pressed to find any other markets that outperform Indy or Kansas City.

I like the Nolo Press books and contracts. 

That's usually only 30 days, if you aren't raising the rent.I highly suggest the Nolo Press leases and rental agreements.

usp=sharingHere is a link to a press conference he had where he kinda said it was a "Recommendation"The wording of the EO makes it seem "Mandatory"?

If you want to make them happy and keep them as tenants, you might offer even more, and be sincere with your understanding of their situation and give them a real apology.Buy the Nolo Press books on landlording. 

I also suggest the Nolo Press books:https://store.nolo.com/products/landlord-tenant/landlord-books