 3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by PropertyPro [MN]) Jun 3, 2009 12:06 PM
 3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Dave [CA]) Jun 3, 2009 12:17 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Sarah [VA]) Jun 3, 2009 12:36 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Red [GA]) Jun 3, 2009 12:42 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Smokowna [MD]) Jun 3, 2009 4:21 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by TE [TX]) Jun 3, 2009 6:44 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Virden [OH]) Jun 3, 2009 7:58 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by PropertyPro [MN]) Jun 3, 2009 10:09 PM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Sarah [VA]) Jun 4, 2009 5:44 AM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by AssetPro [MN]) Jun 4, 2009 6:29 AM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Virden [OH]) Jun 4, 2009 6:33 AM
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by PropertyPro [MN]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 12:06 PM
Message:
State Specific Question About: MINNESOTA (MN)
Re: Security Deposit Return
I rented a 3 bedroom house to 3 students in August 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009.
Each student paid $200 sec. deposit for a total of $600 sec. dep. received.
I spent two weeks cleaning and painting this house prior to the students moving it. It was spotless.
Student #1 moved out sometime in April but did not notify me. I was there one day to show the house to a potential buyer in early April and noticed all of his stuff was removed from his bedroom and the room appeared fine with no issues.
Student #2 moved out around May 14th, 2009. He did not clean anything in his room or the house and his bedroom door has a hole through it the size of a fist.
Student #3 moved out May 26, 2009.
There was considerable amount of personal property left behind from the 1st 2 students, like a TV and a sofa, chair, etc. which they did not want apparently. Student #3 came to the house with his parents and they hauled away all the garbage and items. Student #3 cleaned the counter tops and sprinkled some carpet fresh on the carpets.
The was extremely dirty. The carpets were not shampooed (as required in the lease), nor vacummed, the hard wood floors were not swept or mopped. Stove uncleaned. The bathroom looked like it had never been cleaned since I had cleaned it last year.
In short it took me 18 hours of cleaning to get the house the clean state it was in when they moved it.
I have not heard from student #1 or student #2 regarding the security deposit. However, student #3 has been calling me every day asking for his security deposit.
Since it took me 18 hours to clean the place I feel I should not give anything back to the students. In addition to a broken bedroom door.
However since student #3 did haul all the stuff away and made a small effort at "wipe the counter tops". I am thinking I will give him half of his S.D. $100 returned.
Does that sound fair to other landlords? What would you do?
I do not think student #2 should get anything back he obviously made no effort at all to clean the house and it is his bedroom that has the broken door.
I am not sure what to do about the security deposit for student #1 he left and his room was clean but he did not ensure that the house was clean. He apparently was out of the area.
What would you do? What is my 18 hours of cleaning time worth? and the bedroom door is a custom size so a new one will need to be ordered stained and installed.
Please advise what if any security deposit should be returned to each student.
Thank you for your advise. --156.99.xxx.xxx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Dave [CA]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 12:17 PM
Message:
If you have a single lease, then you have a single security deposit. I would deduct whatever needs to be deducted and return the rest. I don't know the legal aspects of who should get the money. Sounds like you need to address this up front going forward. --192.55.xx.xx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Sarah [VA]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 12:36 PM
Message:
I would do the same as Dave(CA) recommends. Deduct all of your expenses and then return the rest (with documentation for the deductions). Some states allow for you to charge for your own labor time, others don't. Does your lease stipulate who the check will go to? Individual checks to each tenant or 1 check written to all of them?
One of my properties is typically rented to students/young professionals. The lease is structured so that I receive 1 security deposit at lease signing (as well as 1 rent check every month). I don't know how much (and don't want to know) each tenant contributes to the security deposit. At lease expiration, I send 1 check made payable to all tenants, with an itemized deduction list (and pictures in some cases). That way it is up to them to decide who gets what portion of the deposit back. You never know who did the damage and who didn't, especially in common areas. And you don't want to get in the middle of their squabbles.
hope this helps. --173.66.xxx.xx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Red [GA]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 12:42 PM
Message:
One lease.
One security deposit.
One Rent payment.
It is their job to figure out all of the ins and outs of who pays for what.
You'll drive yourself crazy getting between the roommates and giving one part of the security deposit back to one person is getting in between them. --65.12.xxx.xxx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Smokowna [MD]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 4:21 PM
Message:
I send individual security deposit checks back.
In your case I would deduct from each person, then have that third person get money from his roommates.
Just how much is left from the security deposit after cleaning? If each kid is being hit for sixty bucks, or ninety bucks they may not care. You could also send the third kid a gift card outside of this arrangement but I'm certain that is not legal. --173.66.xx.xx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by TE [TX]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 6:44 PM
Message:
The deposit is for damages to the house not based on who did the most move out work. If you feel you must return something then send it to the roommate who is asking but payable to all three roommates. Unless they have all agreed in writing to forfiet the deposit to one person. If you do it now ask that it be notorized to avoid forgery. IF they didn't do that before #1 moved out its not your fault. --99.53.xxx.xxx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Virden [OH]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 7:58 PM
Message:
If you follow my posts on student rentals, get them to prepay 9 or 10 month term, plus security deposit - onje person will handle this and if they do not get along another person steps in to buy out the one who wants out - no security deposit is returned until the whole place is empty of food, furniture and packages so a daylight assessment can be made of damages - anytime you divide you ask for trouble, that was broken by the other girl, it was his friend who let the dog in and it got locked in the basement, I wasn't here when they had that party, we don't drink that kind of beer those cans must have blown down the sidewalk - oh the bulloney stories..... --76.241.xxx.xx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by PropertyPro [MN]) Posted on: Jun 3, 2009 10:09 PM
Message:
This may sound like a stupid question but how do I make a check payable to 3 students as advised? All three live in different parts of the state now.
Also any thoughts on how much to charge for the door and 18 hours of my cleaning time?
--173.19.xx.xxx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Sarah [VA]) Posted on: Jun 4, 2009 5:44 AM
Message:
You write all 3 of their names in the "Payable To" line. Then all 3 of them have to endorse it so it can be cashed.
I have a standard amount to charge for a door replacement (I think $75). But you need to charge the exact amount of the expenses you incurred, so you'll have to tally your receipts. You'll need to find out if your state allows you to charge for your own labor time. --173.66.xxx.xx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by AssetPro [MN]) Posted on: Jun 4, 2009 6:29 AM
Message:
Sarah, you would still make the check payable to all three even though they live in 3 different areas of the state? I guess they could mail it between each other. --156.99.xxx.xxx |
3 Students, 3 sec. dep. (by Virden [OH]) Posted on: Jun 4, 2009 6:33 AM
Message:
This mailing to each is part of the drama you want to avoid, you will have students from other parts of the world as you continue student rentals, I would send the check certified mail to the last one out or the one who has requested the refund after deducting all the repairs and let them sort it out amongst themselves. --76.241.xxx.xxx |
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