The Tenant moved out while on the lease; was paying rent until I found a new tenant. Now he sues me for the security deposit ...
I had to move to East Coast for my job and rented my house in Tampa, Fl. While 6 months left on the lease, the tenant called me one day saying that he bought a property and wanted to move out right away. We discussed the terms and he agreed to pay the rent until I find a new tenant and was coordinating with my realtor to rerent the property. My realtor charges one month rent as her fee and as soon as its rented out - I kept his security deposit towards that realtor fee. I even discounted 5 days of rent in the gap and $200 towards some repairs. Now I get a legal letter from his lawyer demanding me to refund the security deposit; Otherwise I have to go to the court in Florida. What can I do legally? Please advise.
Thanks.
I had to move to East Coast for my job and rented my house in Tampa, Fl. While 6 months left on the lease, the tenant called me one day saying that he bought a property and wanted to move out right away. We discussed the terms and he agreed to pay the rent until I find a new tenant and was coordinating with my realtor to rerent the property. My realtor charges one month rent as her fee and as soon as its rented out - I kept his security deposit towards that realtor fee. I even discounted 5 days of rent in the gap and $200 towards some repairs. Now I get a legal letter from his lawyer demanding me to refund the security deposit; Otherwise I have to go to the court in Florida. What can I do legally? Please advise.
Thanks.