Inherited Tenant Security Deposit

[Rebecca Shine]

Hi All,

I am going to be a new landlord closing on my first property in three days.  I am planning on house-hacking, and I'm going to inherit a tenant in one of the units.  The sellers of the property deducted $200 from the tenant's security deposit during our closing process for a repair, and the tenant is aware.  However, now I am going to receive the security deposit upon closing on the house which is $200 less than one month's rent (the current rent in my opinion is below market rent).  There is a clause in his current lease that allows me to terminate the lease because of the sale with a 60 day notice.  I am planning on terminating that lease and writing up a lease of my own for him to sign - since I'm a new landlord I might as well keep him while I get my bearings.  However, am I allowed to request that he gives me the additional $200 owed for the security deposit upon signing the lease?

Thanks!

[Jack Forester]

If you haven't yet, I'd get an Estoppel agreement signed by the tenant. This basically confirms their current lease agreement and everyone is on the same page.