verbal agreements/30 day notice/deposits

[Gale]

I live in South Carolina. I own my home. Having a roommate is a new experience for me. I had a roommate move in on November 1, 2000 & move out December 11, 2000 with "No Notice". I recieved cash for the deposit along with November & December rent. We had a verbal agreement of a 30 day notice before moving out. Do I have to refund her deposit since she broke our verbal agreement? I spoke with her & told her that I would not refund her deposit because she didn't give me a 30 day notice as agreed. She told me that she is going to bring legal action against me because I had no right to keep her deposit. Isn't a verbal agreement is legally binding in South Carolina? Is there anything I can do at this point to protect myself against legal action? Am I correct in not refunding the deposit? Do I have to put anything in writing to her as to why I am not refunding the deposit since we had only a verbal agreement in the first place? Sincerely, No more verbal agreements

 

[djdj]

She moved out with NO notice, she is obligated to pay For decembers rent, no matter what....plus and any of your costs for any damages and to re-rent for January,

If you did not even try to re rent the place for january, by placing ads in the newspaper and showing the apartment, which you will have to prove,in court.. a judge will probably order you to give her back the security...

You have a duty to re rent, if you CHOOSE... yes you have a CHOICE not to rerent, then you are NOT entitled to keep the security.

Next time have a lease written up, but even if you did, and you did not try and re rent for january, since she moved out in plenty of time for you to try....you still would not be entitled to the security.

You would have a good case to keep the deposit and use it for januarys rent if she moved out unnanounced say on dec 25th...

I hope that is clear..