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Renter situation: What would you have done?

6,300 Views | 46 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by Furlock Bones
scrap
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AG
NoahAg said:

I had good renters for 4 years who didn't complain and took good care of the house. They let me know a couple of months ago that they weren't renewing b/c they are buying a house.

They "misread" the lease, thinking they had to be out by 5/31, when the end date is actually 6/30, and haven't paid June's rent. All their stuff is out now, and I of course still have their security deposit which is 1.5X the rent.

Obviously I'm keeping the deposit. But I'm not sure what else I could have done. I've already changed the locks and we've had lots of showings.
Hold Up Just a SECOND.

Your second sentence of the last paragraph "But I'm, not sure what else I could have done". REALLY?

How about when you got notice you let them know they are breaking the lease early and are in jeopardy of losing their deposit. Yeah, I hear you, "it's not my responsibility to advise them, their ignorance is their loss". You are correct Sir! But that does not make you RIGHT......get my drift.

You said they were Good Renters for 4 years, did not complain and took care of the house. I wonder if they have any ill will toward you. Normally when I have good renters, especially for 4 years and they don't renew I usually ask what's up. YOU PROBABLY DID TOO. But as soon as you knew their time frame you thought what a windfall I now have a way to keep their deposit if I just keep my mouth shut.

But the letter of the law your are correct......right on!

Your Title ask what would I've done.

Here is what I would have done. Advised them of their lease terms and consequence when they gave notice. And because of their tenure as GOOD renters, i would have tried to work out an agreement with them so they would have the opportunity not to lose their deposit. Are you possibly feeling a little uneasy and looking for support from fellow Ags here. Sorry but you won't get it here.
NoahAg
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cheeky said:

NoahAg said:

Yes. Had one contract to move in 7/3 but the lady didn't pay the deposit so I scrapped it. Had lots of showings. I think 3-4 more legit applications. Turned a couple away because income or credit score were too low.
Signed a lady with one kid and really good income.
Poor lady cannot possibly know that she has an amateur landlord
Ha, good one.
NoahAg
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scrap said:

NoahAg said:

I had good renters for 4 years who didn't complain and took good care of the house. They let me know a couple of months ago that they weren't renewing b/c they are buying a house.

They "misread" the lease, thinking they had to be out by 5/31, when the end date is actually 6/30, and haven't paid June's rent. All their stuff is out now, and I of course still have their security deposit which is 1.5X the rent.

Obviously I'm keeping the deposit. But I'm not sure what else I could have done. I've already changed the locks and we've had lots of showings.
Hold Up Just a SECOND.

Your second sentence of the last paragraph "But I'm, not sure what else I could have done". REALLY?

1) How about when you got notice you let them know they are breaking the lease early and are in jeopardy of losing their deposit. Yeah, I hear you, "it's not my responsibility to advise them, their ignorance is their loss". You are correct Sir! But that does not make you RIGHT......get my drift.

You said they were Good Renters for 4 years, did not complain and took care of the house. I wonder if they have any ill will toward you. 2) Normally when I have good renters, especially for 4 years and they don't renew I usually ask what's up. YOU PROBABLY DID TOO. But as soon as you knew their time frame you thought what a windfall I now have a way to keep their deposit if I just keep my mouth shut.

But the letter of the law your are correct......right on!

Your Title ask what would I've done.

Here is what I would have done. Advised them of their lease terms and consequence when they gave notice. And because of their tenure as GOOD renters, i would have tried to work out an agreement with them so they would have the opportunity not to lose their deposit. Are you possibly feeling a little uneasy and looking for support from fellow Ags here. Sorry but you won't get it here.
1) Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear on some details. When they moved out a month early I did remind them of their actual end date. That's when she asked about surrendering their deposit in exchange for skipping their last rent payment.

2) Not how it went down at all. They notified me in the Spring that they wouldn't be renewing and were trying to buy their own place. I congratulated them as I was sincerely happy for them, and thanked them for the advanced notice. On the financial side I was looking forward to bringing the rent up closer to market rate since I'd only nominally increased the rent the last couple of years. No thought of a "windfall" on a $2,700 deposit, LOL.
TheMasterplan
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The lawn thing wa apart of my lease in college. I think we mowed it once ourselves and hired crackheads to do it the other couple of times.
94chem
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OP,
If you didn't expect to get the financial hell knocked out of you every time you change tenants, you may not be cut out for the landlord gig. Rental properties make about as much sense as timeshares for most people.
94chem,
That, sir, was the greatest post in the history of TexAgs. I salute you. -- Dough
NoahAg
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94chem said:

OP,
If you didn't expect to get the financial hell knocked out of you every time you change tenants, you may not be cut out for the landlord gig. Rental properties make about as much sense as timeshares for most people.

I don't understand this reply. This has been a great investment between cash flow and appreciation. So not sure what you mean with the "financial hell" comment.
Like I said, I'm glad the previous tenants decided to move on. It allowed me to reset the rent, do some fresh painting, and get a smaller family in the house (3 as opposed to five) who theoretically will cause less wear and tear.
htxag09
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AG
I guess this post confuses me even more.

When they notified you they were moving out early they also offered to settle the rent via the deposit? But you came to complain and ask what you could have done differently?

So they essentially rented the house for 4 years, were good tenants, and gave you the last month of the house being paid yet empty so easier to show/keep clean?
combat wombat™
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AG
Verbal agreement to forgo deposit in lieu of last month rent is worth the paper it's written on.
NoahAg
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htxag09 said:

I guess this post confuses me even more.

When they notified you they were moving out early they also offered to settle the rent via the deposit? But you came to complain and ask what you could have done differently?

So they essentially rented the house for 4 years, were good tenants, and gave you the last month of the house being paid yet empty so easier to show/keep clean?
Well when you put it that way...
I think what caused the most frustration was them having the power turned off when they moved out and not following through on final cleanup and minor repairs.

Oh well, live and learn.
Medaggie
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NoahAg said:

htxag09 said:

I guess this post confuses me even more.

When they notified you they were moving out early they also offered to settle the rent via the deposit? But you came to complain and ask what you could have done differently?

So they essentially rented the house for 4 years, were good tenants, and gave you the last month of the house being paid yet empty so easier to show/keep clean?
Well when you put it that way...
I think what caused the most frustration was them having the power turned off when they moved out and not following through on final cleanup and minor repairs.

Oh well, live and learn.
Wow,

Don't take this the wrong way but you seem to be a very difficult owner.

They were great renters for 4 years which if you think about it, is worth 3+months rent in my books. They left a month early, made an honest mistake, and was amendable to you keeping the 1.5months deposit.

Then you brought up the fact that you could have charged them for late fees? You are frustrated they turned the power off, didn't do a final cleanup, or minor repairs? I think 1.5 months deposit you are keeping easily pays for 1 month and the cleanup/minor repairs. In reality, after 4 years, most minor repairs is wear and tear. It is not the renters job to return your house to the state before they moved in which IMO is very unreasonable.

In life you have to be compassionate to others and treat others how you would want to be treated. This is why I would have returned their deposit minus any major damages. Move on and be thankful that they gave me 4 years of problem free tenants.

I really do not understand how you can keep their whole deposit and sleep well because I know I could not.
scrap
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AG
NoahAg said:

1) Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear on some details. When they moved out a month early I did remind them of their actual end date. That's when she asked about surrendering their deposit in exchange for skipping their last rent payment.

2) Not how it went down at all. They notified me in the Spring that they wouldn't be renewing and were trying to buy their own place. I congratulated them as I was sincerely happy for them, and thanked them for the advanced notice. On the financial side I was looking forward to bringing the rent up closer to market rate since I'd only nominally increased the rent the last couple of years. No thought of a "windfall" on a $2,700 deposit, LOL.

Noah,

Don't take offense but if you want inputs please provide all the relevant details or be prepared to get what you get.

Even your explanation in 1. above is confusing. When she ASKED what did you AGREE upon? You don't say but earlier you talk about charging late fees for a whole month and I get the feeling your tenants were not expecting that.

On this thread your communications are lacking and that is probably indicative of your communications with your tenant. What I don't know is if it is intentional or not. Someone who wants to laugh off a $2700 windfall as nothing but is hell bent on getting late fees and 1.5X deposit not return does not compute with your LOL. On top of that you are upset that God forbid they cease utilities once they move out. Again where were the communication and WHAT DID YOU AGREE UPON with the tenants PRIOR TO MOVE OUT!

Come on Man...........
Furlock Bones
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AG
i think Noah thought he was posting on r/landlords where they try and justify to each other all of the things they "could have charged" but didn't to make each other feel good.

my wife and i are firm but fair with our tenets. we especially appreciate long term tenants.
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