Deposit Refund - Landlord Forum thread 356725

Deposit Refund by linda (Illinois) on April 4, 2018 @13:43

Tenant vacated the property on February 14. Lease ended February 28. There was cleaning and repairs beyond the normal wear and tear, and a major one is the hardwood floor.

My real estate attorney suddenly passed away, and I finally retained a new one. My understanding was I had 45 days from end of lease not (tenant move out) but a quick google shows I was wrong. Tenant is an attorney and now sending "lawyer" worded emails demanding the deposit which I intended to send to them minus the repairs, but I have just received their new address.

New attorney says not to waste money on him to argue with tenant because her nature is to argue everything(her nature as an attorney), but how should I respond to her email demanding money and it's a day past due? Should I just flat out tell her I will return her deposit and take the hit for the repairs and be done with her? They were good tenants as far as paying but clearly did damage, and had so much crap and toys in the place The apartment was deemed "unfit for showing" while they were still there. THoughts or suggestions?

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Re: Deposit Refund by dave on April 4, 2018 @14:56	[ Reply ]

get accurate information on state and city guidelines regarding return of deposits. thats the law and judges take THAT element of LL/T law seriously and by the book. how long was the t there and where was the rent in relation to what the market was ?? normal wear and tear on a 5 or 7 year occupancy is VERY different than 1 or 2 years. we as LL's cannot depend on tenants in place keeping premises in ''show condition'' ---- it's an unrealistic expectation and unless it's empty or unoccupied and staged like on HGTV,....most prospective tenants or buyers cannot see past what they are looking at. attorney's are difficult tenants to begin with,.....and I married attorneys,.......TWICE ! !.

Re: Deposit Refund by Anonymous on April 4, 2018 @17:06	[ Reply ]

cut your losses and learn from it.

Re: Deposit Refund