Renter left house dirty/utilities unpaid/ now what?

[Lisa Barnum]

First time landlord now what

[Steven Foster Wilson]

@Lisa Barnum If you collected security deposit, use that to cover cleaning costs.

If the utilities were in your tenants name, then you are not held responsible, the tenant is and it will follow them, not your property (at least in Ohio) Check your local laws.

Remember though, if you use your tenants Security Deposit, you must notify them by letter or email letting them know the reasons why and the bill for the cleaning and how it violated the lease. In some instances you can even charge them additional fees if the damage exceeds the amount of the security deposit.