., which will likely be more than their deposit, and you can sue each or all of them to get paid.Then, tell them that if they agree to mutually terminate the lease with you immediately, and if they put everything right before they go, you will "only" charge them for an inspection (by an electrician?)

Written or oral, there is still a binding contract in place.

It does help to pre-screen people by putting some of your criteria in your ad, but you are not required to put any of it in your ad - or all of it in your ad.Oh, add "no co-signers" to your criteria.  

@Daniel Levine - all good points above.One strategy that hasn't been mentioned yet it to take a portion [or all] and be a private/hard money lender.These lenders usually get 3-5 points for a six month loan PLUS 12%-15% APR monthly income.  

They are Below are the exact and more pertinent clauses in my lease to refers to this instance:"If tenant ceases to occupy, and or removes the majority or all of the tenants possessions, and or the utilities are disconnected, the unit shall be considered vacated and the landlord has full right of entry and my take possession of said property with no notice to the tenant."

And nobody on the board has to know a darn thing about managing property, or all that money... 

That's like saying you want to remove all bacteria or all pollen. 

I'd guess that initially you were a little surprised/afraid that you might lose most or all of your deposit because of damage caused by you and your cat.You said a couple of time that you will use your understanding of being a tenant to help you be a better landlord. 

You should be able to get a pretty good lender credit to cover most or all of your closing costs, even at a competitive rate,  so you shouldn't have to use too much cash for that.  

One reason is that it reverts to state statutes, and it's easier, if worse comes to worse, to evict on an oral, month-to-month.