A one year lease was broken after four months. The house was immaculate when it was moved into. I have pix. The house was a complete and filthy mess when it was left, I also have pix. It has taken days of cleaning and is still in need of more. I don't think it was cleaned once the four months the tenants lived there. They had four or five kids and three dogs plus who knows what else. They damaged the walls with scratches and small holes along with putting numerous large holes in the walls also. They left ruined door molding and many other damaged areas. Rugs were left filthy and ripped. Looked like doors were left locked and then just broken into. Window blinds were ruined.

If a lease is broken does the landlord even owe the tenant an explanation? Or is the landlord supposed to supply an explanation of where deposit monies were spent as if the lease was left in tack and just ended at the end of the leasing period? And if so how long does the landlord have to get things done?

Deb

Hello Deb:

Depending on your state, you have to provide a written explanation of how you spent the deposit, or they get it back.

Just to be on the safe side, I'd read my states landlord tenant laws, since they are the rules of the landlord business. We have a copy of them right here at the top of the real estate page in a sticky note.

excon