Team- We've had a really smooth 5 years of renting until now. My head is still spinning a little over the text we received from our tenant that just moved out. They have been good renters over the year, so I'm really surprised by this. All of this for "up to $200". The simple back story. The renter moves out, we inspect the apartment, it seems fine, we have the apartment professionally cleaned and they tell us the glass on the inside of the vanity mirror is cracked. Our mistake was to not check inside that stupid cabinet when we did the walk thru... So we tell the renter we're going to deduct it from his deposit to replace the unit. It's maybe 200 bones tops. So here's how he responds. "I sincerely hope we don’t go down this road as I have done as I told you. If we can’t agree then I will also go after the two days of rent reimbursement for the days I turned over the residence to you as to help get you new tenant in the duplex and also seek additional damages for the change of plans with work (that's actually not true, he moved out and the apartment was vacant until the 1st). Shall I keep going. Trust me there are a few other things up my sleeve that you really don’t want me to pull out. Remember we are not the kind of people who fit with you tenants. I have every email and every text and I promise I will do everything possible to make things totally difficult for the future. I have deep contacts that I have developed over the last couple of years and I am done playing. No threats here just proof I have and I saved it all for this time. Please forward the deposit as agreed and I will go away. Please respond as I need to know how to proceed tomorrow." Is this extortion? It's definitely a threat. We've had no issues either, so him keeping the texts and e-mails make no sense. Great, you have the text I sent you that the dryer repair guy is coming by today... I don't know how to handle this one. 200 bucks here, on a $1500 rental. He claims he didn't break it, but the cleaners are emphatic it was broken when they cleaned. Thoughts?

Are you renting to Liam Neeson “ over the years I’ve acquired specialized skills , skills to track you down and find you ...”

maybe the answer is approach it from his level ? Dear tenant Unfortunately Your persistent threats over the 200$ has kindled my wrath which will not turn out well for you . I may appear as an unassuming flabby middle age white guy but I’m actually a golden glove boxer and a 1987 east coast kickboxing champion . Since I received your text I’ve watched 27 hours of Kung fu reruns ( tv land marathon ) and drank 4 pots of coffee and Pumped ready to rock and roll .so if your feelin froggish and want to leap then come on by and try to collect the 200 bucks. Let me know .I’ll go ahead and pencil you in for a 9:30 a$$ whippin . Signed “ the punisher”

If I had a dollar for every time a tenant threatened to sue and expose me to the world for the evil scum that I am. It's $200 which is about what it will cost him to take you to Small Claims. Here's what I would do: 1. Ignore, no matter what he does. Personal letters get filed. Emails archived. Texts and phone calls blocked. 2. If he contacts me via an attorney, I file and ignore. 3. If he takes me to Small Claims, choose whether to defend myself or contact him and offer to split the difference or just pay the amount. I only consider #3 because that shows a level of determination that won't stop so you have to decide whether to just pay them off or defend yourself in front of the judge. If I have the evidence, I'll defend myself every day.

too funny I would not respond.. just send a finial accounting. also TEXTING I just don't see how landlords allow tenants to text them. that's crazy.. I would never respond to a text.. they are training U.. me personally get those text I never answer them .. unless its a close associate or family.. never would I let a tenant text me NEVER.. they will abuse you threaten you drunk text you etc. I mean really all this over 200.00 bucks I mean seriously.. LOL

If it were me, id just give back the deposit and be done with it. I have no time for that kind of drama in my life. If he was out two days prior to the end of the month, that's $100 he wasn't asking for. Definitely childish on his part, but so is nickel and diming people over a broken mirror.

@Jim Morris you really should do a walk through through inspection when they are there and point out deductions on the spot. It is hard when you come back later and claim deductions. If I miss things during a walk through, that falls back on me. Personally, I would tell them that since you missed it on the walk through, that you will not deduct for the damage and I would return the full amount. He did threaten you and that is not right, but also remember who has more to lose here? You have a house worth probably a hundred thousand or more and this beef is over $200? I know everyone is telling you to fight the good fight, but what if it turns out badly? The guy seems like a hot head. Could he be full of hot air, probably, but what if he is the type that comes in the night and trashes your property? If you give him all his deposit back, you never deal with him again. You deduct $200 and this doesn't end. Easy decision for me. I always look for compromise when small amounts of money are involved. It is called cost accounting.

I have a slightly different take most of the others. I agree with Splitrock. You said that, at walk-through, you did not notice the damage in question. I assume you then told the tenant (or implied) that he would be receiving a full refund of his security deposit. At this point, stop and look at it from the tenant's point of view. If you inspected the unit and he was told he would receive full deposit, but he later was blindsided with a $200 deduction, that would have made him feel you were taking advantage of him. That feeling might have made him respond as many landlord here on BP say they respond: with force to demand what they want and think is fair. At this point, you look to him as just another "greedy landlord trying to harass the poor tenant." My opinion is if you did indeed tell the tenant he was to receive a full refund, you should refund the deposit in full. It is not his fault you missed the supposed damage. After all, it is entirely possible the damage occurred after you performed the walk-through. You really don't know. The mistake of missing the supposed damage was yours -- as such, you should bear the cost.

I would send them their remaining security deposit with the deducted $200 with the bill for those services. I also would stay away from texting tenants unless it was someone I knew personally. For example, I rented a place to a friend's girlfriend so I don't mind if he texts me that the hot water isn't working or whatever. I stick to email if you want something in writing. Tenants like to lie and puff their chest to bluff landlords into caving. Send him the remaining $1300 of the security and don't worry about it. The ball would be in his court if he wanted to pursue legal action and its just not worth the $200 for the aggravation.

I have a tenant threatening me now over something they said we "stole" from them. This after they moved out and left the place trashed with dog poop all over the place and not giving proper 30 days notice. Ignore them. Move on. Don't block them. Let them rant and save every communication. It will be good on your end to remain calm and professional. Let the judge see what kind of people they are.

Has anyone been extorted/threatened for the deposit back?

Maugno M.

Flipper / Landlord · Tyler, TX · Member since 2016 · 255 posts · 126 votes

7y

Yeah i feel you on deducting the damage for the vanity mirror. But it really isnt such a big deal, ITS JUST A MIRROR. Go and find one at a garage sale and move on i'd say.

Has anyone been extorted/threatened for the deposit back?

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