Refrigerator damage - deposit

[Brad Rondeau]

My tenant in my Laguna Niguel condo is moving out after 8 years.   They have been good tenants and will probably get most or all of their deposit back.  Originally I was going to take the new Samsung refrigerator with me ($1,100+) and let them get their own.  I later asked if the wanted to rent the fridge from me for an additional $20 per month.  They  (reluctantly) agreed.  A few years later they said the ice maker stopped working and wanted it fixed.  I told them to just get Ice trays because I did not want the hassle/expense of the repair.  They said they would buy their own fridge, stop paying the fridge rental and store my fridge in the attic.  I said ok.  As they are getting ready to move out I see my once beautiful stainless steel Samsung in the Garage with a huge dent in the door.  There is also some corrosion on the metal in different spots.  

Before seeing this I was planning on putting the Samsung back with ice trays and be good to go.  After seeing it, I can't really use it now.  Does the tenant bare any responsibility here, or is this all on me?

[David Avetisyan]

You can hold some of the deposit. It is ultimately your fault for not moving the fridge out. No tenant will care for your item like it’s their own.

Regardless of some bumps, I suggest you fix the ice machine - if the repair is reasonable - and use it for future tenants. 

To your success!