Security Deposit Issue

[Jason Merchey]

A tenant in a Section 8 duplex of mine kinda trashed the place. I went in to introduce myself after firing my deadbeat PM and saw evidence of domestic violence, smoke detectors taken down, etc. Can I use the security deposit to make repairs at this time, or only upon move-out? My goal would then be to up her rent $50 a month to get the security deposit back up.

[Ryan Mullin]

I definitely wouldn't fix anything until they are completely out! If they trashed it once they will trash it again! Report them to section 8 and see what your options are. Hopefully SC is a "landlord friendly" state.