Tenant passed away..
This elderly tenant signed the lease for one year. Paid first and last month rent. Started to move some boxes and light furniture in the next 2 days. On the 3'rd day, I received a phone call from her daughter who reports her mom suddenly passed away. She has never actually moved in physically herself and never slept in our apartment. Eventually her daughter removed the boxes and the furniture out and the apartment is empty now. In this case, what are we supposed to do with the rent money (first and last) we received from the tenant? Your helpful advice will be greatly appreciated.
I would take the hit and return all monies.
#4 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
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- Los Angeles, CA
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#4 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
- Rental Property Investor
- Los Angeles, CA
Legally: Look up your local laws. Depending on area, the lease may continue with the estate liable, it might end on date of death, or end of month, or in 30 days.
Morally: That's up to you. Depending on how long it took to find this tenant, I might refund 100% or I might keep something to cover my costs. The situation sucks, but if I turned away qualified tenants and now am out relisting costs and two months rent, I'm not sure I should eat that cost. If it's just a matter of calling up a prior applicant and losing a week or two of rent, I'd probably let it go.
I would return it if the daughter ask about it. They probably need money for funeral expenses and its a time for giving in that situation.
I would prorate the rent for the time her belongings were there and return the rest of the funds to the estate and move on. It sounds like you got off pretty easy, count your blessings that the place didn't sit empty longer, and expect to not be made completely whole.
Quote from @Ann Choe:If the daughter emptied it, returned the apartment in the same condition, and gives keys up promptly you'll feel better about the situation letting them have the rent and deposits back. I understand for you it probably sucks because there's a financial loss for you taking it off the market, listing it again, and the vacancy costs.
This elderly tenant signed the lease for one year. Paid first and last month rent. Started to move some boxes and light furniture in the next 2 days. On the 3'rd day, I received a phone call from her daughter who reports her mom suddenly passed away. She has never actually moved in physically herself and never slept in our apartment. Eventually her daughter removed the boxes and the furniture out and the apartment is empty now. In this case, what are we supposed to do with the rent money (first and last) we received from the tenant? Your helpful advice will be greatly appreciated.
If someone you loved died I'm sure you'd home for some sympathy and it was only three days. The landlord gods will look upon you favorably :-)
Quote from @Ann Choe:
This elderly tenant signed the lease for one year. Paid first and last month rent. Started to move some boxes and light furniture in the next 2 days. On the 3'rd day, I received a phone call from her daughter who reports her mom suddenly passed away. She has never actually moved in physically herself and never slept in our apartment. Eventually her daughter removed the boxes and the furniture out and the apartment is empty now. In this case, what are we supposed to do with the rent money (first and last) we received from the tenant? Your helpful advice will be greatly appreciated.
Legally, you can keep the money up until a new tenant takes over. As a kind human, I would probably refund everything and just focus on getting it rented as quickly as possible.
