He is entitled to retain the rent to cover his costs in locating another tenant for next month.

Also, no lawyer would take that case unless she is willing to put down at least a $1000 retainer and pay up front for legal services.  

I pretty much have the same thing except I don't pay my guy the retainer or per hour.

You've got to do everything you can to retain your property's value and reputation.

The same reason people put attorney's on retainer.... and then some.

Put a clause in the lease that if they decide to back out after they see the unit, you will return their first month's rent, but retain the deposit as the payment for holding the unit for them.

Illogical, irrational and not based on any known facts to support the theory that supplementing tenants rents retains them longer.

I highly suggest you retain an attorney if you want to move forward with an eviction but don't know the proper process.

This is why every landlord needs to have a real estate attorney on retainer so you can call them up and let them deal with these headaches.Yes I do believe they are correct.You can't start eviction proceedings if you accepted money from them.Here in California they can give you 1 lousy dollar and they keep their tenants rights for that month if you accept it.Contact a good attorney and see what your options are at this point.Good luck.

What you described as a "niche" rental client with the Law students and the revolving lease where they are like sub-leasers and you retain the ability to tell the Judge that they are on 30 day rental contracts would not work here in Tampa.