Re: First, last and security deposit - Landlord Forum thread 343932

Re: First, last and security deposit by Doug (Colorado) on March 28, 2016 @20:11

Tenants who do not comply with a move-out date or eviction notice can easily owe a full month of rent, meaning there is nothing left in the security deposit to cover damages and other charges, which may include the costs of eviction. No doubt there are unscrupulous landlords, but many tenants will take full advantage of the delays offered by law to cost the landlord more than a single month's security deposit. Many landlords themselves are on the edge of meeting expenses and can't afford to take a chance on a tenant. It's not necessarily (or usually) greed that necessitates a certain level of security deposit. I'd also add there's an asymmetry; as much as it can be a pain to deal with unfairly retained security deposits, at least you can file suit. It's nearly impossible to go after a tenant who has skipped out with a balance due.

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