Legal Q&A:

Legal Q&A: If tenants break lease, what happens to security deposit?

November 8, 2017

Question: If a one-year residential lease is broken, what becomes of the security deposit?

Answer: Once the tenants have vacated the premises and the landlord has taken over possession, the time to account for the use of the security deposit (normally 21 days) begins. The deposit can be used for any monies owed the landlord including delinquent rent.

Question: When we have called attention to a violation of the lease or community rules, tenants frequently will say we are “picking” on them. How can we protect ourselves?

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