After their own inspector assessed these damages and the amount, MPH only offered me a 1k deposit return and abandoned the lease.

Not sure what to do about security deposit.

Section 8 tenants have to coordinate everything through the housing authority which is unbelievably difficult to go through if it's Metro Housing or Boston Housing, and then they have to wait for inspections, approvals, deposit checks, etc. 

If you still had their deposit, you could deduct from that.If the deposit was returned, you can bill the tenant and hope they are honest enough to pay.

We're a lot better at it now, but it's come at the cost of really toughening up, asking for first, last and a full deposit with no exceptions, not allowing pets anymore even though we love dogs ourselves, etc, etc.

You think a $800 deposit covers much? 

@Bob Drew My early termination as defined in my lease says they loose their deposit.

There is ONLY one real confidence booster.And I challenge anyone and everyone to the death on this one.Working hard, sweating tears and blood,  standing back up after you get bish-slapped to the ground, rising above it all trembling and bloody, .... depositing your first paycheck and hear that "chee cheeng"...

On the flip side, students can sometimes cause more damage than your average renter, so make sure you're asking for a deposit that will cover you if they destroy the place.

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.