Tenant Challenges (last month rent and security deposit)

[Eddie Sorrell]

After a recent close on a property, I have been working to collect rent from my tenants and for the most part this has not been a problem, but there is that one... Situation: current lease expires end of April with rent due by the first of every month. The tenant has shared intention of moving out and vacating unit, will be out by EOD April 1st, asked to not pay last month rent as he experienced issues with items in unit not working. We have no reports of this from him and issues are not noted in the home inspection report completed 1 month prior to closing. I responded that it is the duty of the company to manage to the lease terms and the April rent cannot be waived. That our company would take into consideration any defects as part of the walk through and this walk through needs to be scheduled for this weekend, April 1st. My intention is to collect the April rent when meeting the tenant for the walk through on April 1st, the tenant has not been responsive and I think that I will have some problems collecting the rent. I understand that the security deposit cannot be used in place of the rent and is due back to tenant so long as the condition of the unit does not require repairs beyond normal wear and tear. Advice as to how you would handle this situation?