Rental Deposit (non)Transferral

[CannuckCorradoV]

Ontario, Canada.

Last August I purchased two homes with a total of six rental units. On the day I purchased the homes, four tenants were occupying the homes.

All four of the tenants claim to have paid a rental deposit totaling one months rent each.

Deposit 1: This deposit was tranferred to me from the previous owner in my statement of adjustments, and the tenant had receipts to prove it.

Deposit 2: The money has not been tranferred to me, but after dicussing with the previous owner, he has agreed to tranfer the funds to me. The tenant has receipts to prove the deposit was paid.

Deposit 3: The tenant paid the deposit, but missed one months rent before I purchased the house. The previous owner therefore deducted the outstanding rent from the deposit, and none was tranferred to me. The tenant has since moved out, and her deposit was paid to her by me in the form of last months rent. I am out the full deposit.

Deposit 4: The tenant claims to have paid a deposit, but is unable to prove it. The previous owner claims she did not pay a deposit. The tenant is moving out next month, and I need to resolve the issue before she does.

Can anyone lend me some advice? Thanks in advance.

[Country Living]

Did you not see the statement about US Law only?

[CannuckCorradoV]

I did, and posted regardless. I am aware a reply may not be completely relevant to my situation. I am simply looking for some collective advice.

[nextwife]

Transfers of rents and security deposits are handled in the offer and closing.