Question for landlords (apartment, lease, tenant, eviction)

[davecj]

I have a tenant who has signed a lease with me to rent my house in Baltimore. Security deposit is $1050 and rent due on the 5th yadda yadda.

My intention is to move out of the property and she was to move in on the 24th. She has only given me half the deposit and has thus been unresponsive to multiple calls I've made about getting the other half or not showing up when she does say she's coming.

She doesn't have a copy of the lease or keys. I'm already starting to get nightmarish feelings on how this is going to turn out and eviction here takes 6 months.

Does she have recourse if I cancel the lease? Technically she has not lived up to her end of the agreement and she is not in the property yet. I've gotten multiple offers from others on my ad and frankly I don't need to be chasing around money from this woman every month.

[Streetchie]

Yeah, this sounds like a future nightmare tenant. I'd refund her money and go with someone else.

[dkhriz77]

the tenant has not complied with the lease, which requires a full months deposit. I would refund the partial deposit and look for another tenant. This sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen

[mrboltonman]

I agree with the above, refund the money and find another tenant.

[davecj]

She signed it but I did not nor does she even have a copy of it. Either way she has until 7pm tomorrow before I deem it null and void.

[bentlebee]

I would either keep the money or give it back...she hasn't done her part of the deal so you are IMO even entitled to keep it, but legally you might stand better to give it back...the security deposit is also to secure the lease and some one will move in, if they don't there could be a compensation for your loss due to holding the apartment/house off the market.

Next time, make a good solid contrac, so you won't have these issues and never accept a partly rent or sec. deposit...that is aksing for trouble and it shows the tenants have no money. I turned down a couple of people who asked me to spread out the sec. deposit over a few months...Hell NO!

[davecj]

Well the situation is resolved. This woman seriously is stupid.

I called and emailed her Wednesday, stating that the security deposit was due by Friday, Jan 16 by 7pm. If not then the contract would be voided and I would return her deposit.

I finally get a call from her Thursday saying she's really sorry, this weeks been crazy for her but that I would have cash in hand on Friday no problem.

Friday I'm at my house, phone in hand. 7pm rolls by. 7:30 rolls by. I call at 7:45 and 8:15 with no response. Figure hell with it and meet some friends out.

Come back home around 2am this morning and check the mailbox. Nothing in there.

I email her this morning stating that due to her not fulfilling her contractual obligations, the contract is now canceled and I will return her deposit at my convenience.

I get a phone call around noon. To her credit she was much more civil than I was gearing up for. She said she doesn't know why I'd cancel the contract when she told me she is coming by TODAY at 7pm.

I tell her today is SATURDAY, she was supposed to come FRIDAY like she said in the phone call.

And perhaps why there needs to be contraceptives laced into cigarettes:

The conversation goes, and I quote-

What are you talking about? I told you on Thursday I was coming tomorrow after work with the money.

Yes, that meant Friday

No I said on Thursday I would be coming tomorrow. That's Sat... Oh wait ****.

Said thanks but no thanks it'd be best if we go our separate ways on this deal.

[ShaneSA]

Always go with your gut feeling. it's the best tool you have. you were WAY more patient than I would have been. Put a rock and your prospective tenant next to each other and look to see which one is dumber. Your gut is right.
Whenever I have a place up for rent, I always go wtth my first impression and first instinct. it has served me well. It may not be the first person who says they want an apartment or house, but that first impression will alwuys pay off.
Koodos to you for dodging the bullet!!!!!

[killer2021]

Refund, find new tenant. She is not serious about renting. Not even worth your time.

[loudes13]

Find a new tenant, then return the $525. You don't need this deadbeat in your property.

I would keep showing it until a proper tenant and a DEPOSIT is taken.