Cohousing-L Mailing List: Renter issues

[WOLF1GDSFM (WOLF1GDSFM]

There has been some discussion on this board about renting
being a way for those who may not be able to afford cohousing to be
included.  I am new to being a landlord, and I have recently had a rather
mildly bad experience.  I can see how it could be much worse.

A recent renter left the apartment for hours with windows wide open
when bad weather was predicted, cleaned his/her catbox so seldom that
the whole unit (including my part) smelled bad, let her/his cats make
holes in the screens, wanted out of the lease months early (gladly
granted), left the stove, counters, sink and bathroom fixtures dirty, left
various non-valuable possessions behind and didn't return the unit or
mailbox keys.  The apartment still smells of catbox.  I have not yet
returned the damage deposit.

I am puzzling over how much of the deposit to return to this person.  If I
return too little, there may be a problem, since the former renter is a
close relative of neighbor family.  Said neighbors have been rather
unhelpful in dealing with this relative, even though those neighbors'
advocacy was the reason I rented to this person in the first place.  The
situation has strained relations between myself and those neighbors.  I
have not been able to talk of my difficulties with other neighbors without
feeling like a gossip.  The whole situation has left me reluctant to try
renting again, although I may not be able to afford to stay here if I do
not.

Are there suggestions for dealing with any of the issues in the above
scenario?

J.
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