My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
I'm the owner of a house and had a tenant on a month to month lease. She had been in the room for 3 years and started having problems paying rent on time. Her rent was due the 3rd of each month. After a bounced check, on the 5th she broke off ALL communication with me. She did deposit the rent into my account on the 7th. On 8th I gave her a 60 day notice for her to be out of the room by November 11th.
She completely avoided me; coming home late, leaving early, not responding to emails, txts, letters left on and under her door. Never acknowledge that I can show her room to potential tenants. She even "booby trapped" her door to see if I entered the room and in the 1 brief encounter I had with her, she threatened to sue me if I go in the room. She gave me no notice that she would move out before November 11th. I came home Sept 30th and she had packed everything and moved out. She left no forwarding address so sent letters to her last know address (mine) that came back to me.
I was not able to get a new tenant until November 1st.
Now I got an email requesting the $500 deposit. Since I was expecting her to be in the house until November, can I use the security deposit for part of the $675 October rent?

