Tenant backed out - who pays bills

[rockinhranch]

We leased a house to a young couple, they paid the security deposit and signed a 6 month lease. They seemed like a nice couple and we tried to help them by allowing them to move some of their belongings in early, having the butane delivered for the gas stove, paying the deposit for the water service etc., which they agreed to pay back before moving in. Call them naive or whatever, they didn't realize a security deposit is NOT the same as rent, and couldn't pay the 1st months rent, thought they wouldn't have to come up with rent money for another 30 days. We had to tell them to come get their belongings out, which they did. Meanwhile we have a butane bill and water bill to pay. I know Texas law allows me retain the cost of finding another tenant, but what about these bills, can we keep this money out of the deposit?

[Edited by rockinhranch on 12-30-2000 at 09:59 AM]

 

[HomeGuru]

Yes, you can use the deposit money as long as they used the gas and water.