Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Arizona
My tenant broke the lease one month earlier than the contract terms. However, I was able to rent my house from the month my tenant left. Am I liable to pay my tenant the deposit back or does he forfeit the deposit for breaking the lease contract a month early?
1 Answer from Attorneys
The security deposit is just that, a fund of money against which you can recover your damages for breach of the lease agreement. Your damages would include the expenses incurred to re-let the premises, unpaid rent, and repairs/cleaning needed to re-let the premises. You do have a duty to minimize damages, which you did by finding another tenant. So, therefore, you should reimburse yourself for all damages and expenses incurred as a result of the breach and give the tenant back any money left over.
Related Questions & Answers
-
Hello. I have allowed a friend and her husband the use of a room in my house... Asked 10/23/10, 6:49 pm in United States Arizona Landlord & Tenants
-
Is a 30 days notice given verbally to a landlord ligitament? Asked 10/01/10, 3:54 pm in United States Arizona Landlord & Tenants
-
If you sign a contract with someone else for an apartment and the other person... Asked 9/26/10, 10:11 pm in United States Arizona Landlord & Tenants