My tenant replaced a storm door on my house that she was renting. She vacated yesterday without giving proper notice and informed me that if she gets her deposit back, she will leave the door. If not, she will come back and take the door with her. Considering the condition she left the house in, I will not be returning her deposit. However I was under the assumption that because the door is attached to the house, it is a part of the property and cannot be removed by the tenant. I am unable to find this in the KS state statutes. Can anyone help?

It's my understanding that when a tenant makes additions or changes to rental property it usually requires permission from the landlord, hopefully that was stated in her lease. If you really want to keep it, then inform her that since she is no longer a tenant, if she comes there it would be considered trespassing. Otherwise, just tell her to come and get her damn door and put up a new one.

What does your lease state? My (TX) lease, as well as leases I've used in other states, clearly states that any improvements made by the tenant must be with my permission and that they stay with the property when the tenant moves out.

As far as not returning her security deposit... just send an itemized statement of damages (mail it to the most current address you have for her) and you'll be covered.

Me thinks she doth protest too much... she knows she messed up and she's on the defensive.

Of course as the previous poster suggested it may be simpler to just have her come take her silly door and forget it. You're in a better position to judge how volatile this woman is, etc.

Good luck!
Karla in TX
P.S. Tell her not to let the door hit her in the butt on the way out!! Hee hee.

There was actually an agreement that she received reduced rent with the understanding that she would fix up the place and make any necessary repairs under the amount of $100. I am tired of this tenant, though, and do not want to go to court over a door. I guess I just wanted to know if it was legal for her to take it.

If she made an agreement to fix up the place in exchange for reduced rent, that door is therefore yours and no, she can't legally take it.

Thank you for your answers. I will most likely state in the letter of refusal to return deposit that she cannot remove anything further from the property. However, if I go back to a house with a missing door, I'll probably let it slide. It is a minimal cost and I'd rather not waste more time on it. It's not like I'm going to give her a good referral anyway. :p