Security Deposit with more than one signer to the lease

[Rupert Grant]

I recently bought a building with pre existing tenants. Many of the units have multiple signers on the lease. When tenants move and I return security deposits, should I divide the deposit equally among the tenants and write a check to each tenant and give an equal amount?

[Jon Holdman]

If there are multiple people on the lease, and no paperwork that states a specific person or persons provided the security deposit, return it to them as a check made out to "tenant 1 and tenant 2 and tenant 3...".  Let them sort it out.