Re: tenant demand letter - Landlord Forum thread 334304

Re: tenant demand letter by Stephen (WA - Washington) on April 30, 2015 @15:40

I once was late sending the SDSS (I had sent it but a couple days late). Tenant filed in small claims court for not only the balance but additional costs. I spoke with a lawyer who advised that our state allows virtually no excuses for not sending the letter on time and that I could get hit with penalties. Her advice was:
- Send balance of security deposit.
- Also refund their filing fee for small claims court.
- Chalk this up as a learning experience.
- Get all future letters out on time.

I did all those items. Tenant dropped the small claims case. And I have never again been late. Sometimes I have to go with a best estimate of the cost and then a follow-up letter with the actual costs (reimbursing any excesses I withheld), but the initial letter has never been late.

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