If the tenant tells you they are moving out before lease ends, what should you do is the question for Ask Landlord Hank this week.
Dear Landlord Hank,
My tenant signed a six-month lease and is planning on moving out after five months has told/emailed me of his intent, but sent no 30-day notice to me or acknowledged my email back to him.
What should I do from here? I did send a certified letter stating their responsibilities.
–Lori
Dear Landlady Lori,
What does your lease say about early termination?
Do you have last month’s rent, or is that still owed to you?
Do you have a security deposit?
It’s good that you sent a certified letter stating tenant responsibilities. Everything is different now with the pandemic.
I would talk to the tenant, in person, if that makes sense, and find out why they are leaving (did they lose their employment, etc.) and let them know that you will try to rent the property for their last month, to remove that responsibility from them.
I would also try to determine a firm date for when the tenants will vacate. Then you can have their assurance that you can freely show the property to potential tenants and hopefully rent the unit.
Your lease will ultimately control tenant responsibility. Try to maintain a good relationship through this bump in the road.
Sincerely,
Hank Rossi
Landlord Hank Rossi says tenant utilities should be connected by the tenant before move in day.
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