Hello, I live in New York City, Bronx.
My tenant refuses to give me the keys to the apartment until I give her security money back.
However, I do not have access to the apartment and cannot view it to appraise any damages.
How do I handle this? Isn't the security money given back after inspection of the apartment?
Also, on our lease, in the Security deposit provision, it says exactly:
"On execution of this lease, Lessee deposits with Lessor [XXXX Dollars ($XX]), receipt of which is acknowledged by Lessor, as security for faithful performance by Lessee of the terms hereof, to be returned to Lessee, without interest, on the full and faithful performance by him and the provisions hereof."
How will she prove she even gave me security money if this is covered in XXXX? We have renewed the lease and both leases have the XXXX, no actual dollar value.
Also, if the damages done by the tenant is more than what I have in the security deposit, can I take her to small claims court and sue her for the rest of the damages?

