Renter broke lease. Not giving back deposit of pne month?

[Dallas Knoll]

I have new renter who broke lease after 9 months. Originally I rent for 1500 month. I have told  previous renters I would lower rent if signed 2 year lease. In this case 1400 month. This renter gave me 1500 deposit. and signed 2 years lease and broke lease after 9 months stating cannot afford any more  and does not want to be in with roommates  any more. So I am already out 900 dollars that I would have got for 1 year lease.

 I have decided to put the house up for sale after much thought and hence won't be doing diligent looking for replacement renters. I am on good terms other than rental lease being broken. House has normal wear and tear. I am planning on keeping 1400 and giving back 100 for dog deposit. Am I in legal rights to do this? I am in Colorado and from all I have read I am in the right here.

[Travis Sperr]

Always depends on the lease - but as long as you send the letter to the tenant accounting for why you are keeping the money within 30/60 days - again depending on your lease. Obviously not worth trying to collect any unpaid rent for the lease term if you are going to sell the property. At this point it is much more important to get the property back in good shape than to try to get the money from the tenant.