Getting tenants out of MFH to house hack

Getting tenants out of MFH to house hack

Investor · Manasquan, NJ · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 38 votes

I’ve been in the market to buy Multifamily property to house hack for the past few months. I keep finding properties I like but the sellers refuse to get the tenants out before closing. 

I spoke with an attorney in NJ and he said the law is that you have to give 30 full calendar days notice if the unit is going to be owner occupied and 60 full calendar days notice if it’s not. After this time expires THEN you can file with the court for eviction and it’s up to the judge. To me there is some risk there if I close WITH THE TENANTS because the judge could say they have 6 months to get out and then the tenant could go back and ask for another extension. So I’m stuck paying a mortgage while I can’t rent the unit. 

HOWEVER, I spoke with an investor and he said it would be short sighted to let a property go because the seller won’t get tenants out before closing. He said he buys property all the time with tenants. He gives them his new contract with a price increase and they usually just pack up and leave if they can’t pay the higher price.

Is this the common experience for other multifamily investors out there?  

2Reply
13 views

Most Popular Reply

Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Richard Phillip Lewis:

It's common, but it depends on your experience. From 2012 to 2021 I managed 300-400 rentals and did not evict a single tenant. I asked many to leave. I told even more to leave. I even filed in court many times. But the Tenants all left before I had to stand in front of a judge.

You can give the Tenants notice that you want them out so you can renovate the building, and they will probably leave. You can tell them rent is increasing 25% and they will probably leave. You can tell them you are tired of late payments, noise complaints, or other problems and give them the option of leaving on their own or being forced out. They usually leave.

The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
See this reply in the discussion

7 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Phillip Lewis:

    It's common, but it depends on your experience. From 2012 to 2021 I managed 300-400 rentals and did not evict a single tenant. I asked many to leave. I told even more to leave. I even filed in court many times. But the Tenants all left before I had to stand in front of a judge.

    You can give the Tenants notice that you want them out so you can renovate the building, and they will probably leave. You can tell them rent is increasing 25% and they will probably leave. You can tell them you are tired of late payments, noise complaints, or other problems and give them the option of leaving on their own or being forced out. They usually leave.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Investor · Manasquan, NJ · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 38 votes
    3y

    Hi @Nathan Gesner I appreciate your feedback!! I find the idea very risky to take on a property that has below market rents and to get the tenants out, but if that’s how it’s done I will find a way. 

  • Investor · Walla Walla, WA · Member since 2022 · 7 posts · 5 votes
    3y

    Hey Richard, what I’ve done in the past was offer an incentive for a tenant to terminate their lease early so I could close and occupy the property within my lenders time frame which was 60 days. I was purchasing a triplex and went to the tenant that had their lease ending the soonest which was 4 months from the day. I told them I would give them the next two months rent free and their guaranteed damage deposit returned so long as there wasn’t significant damage upon move out. They signed a lease amendment to vacate the property 2 months after I closed and I was able to occupy the property within 60 days and fulfill my owner occupied obligation from my lender. It cost me about $2000 extra out of pocket but kept a cash flowing deal from falling apart. 

  • Investor · Manasquan, NJ · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 38 votes
    3y

     Very Good Idea @Robert Krieger! Thank you.

    It seems most of the multi family properties I’m looking at have tenants that are month to month, so they are ready to give notice to if necessary. 

    It does make sense on an owner occupied duplex to close in 60 days and give notice too both tenants 30 days notice for owner occupied unit and 60 days for non owner occupied unit and if all goes well they would be out at closing. Maybe even give one to two months rent to help them motivate and pay for moving truck if necessary? 

  • Investor · Manasquan, NJ · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 38 votes
    3y

     Very Good Idea @Robert Krieger! Thank you.

    It seems most of the multi family properties I’m looking at have tenants that are month to month, so they are ready to give notice to if necessary. 

    It does make sense on an owner occupied duplex to close in 60 days and give notice too both tenants 30 days notice for owner occupied unit and 60 days for non owner occupied unit and if all goes well they would be out at closing. Maybe even give one to two months rent to help them motivate and pay for moving truck if necessary? 

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Phillip Lewis:

    Hi @Nathan Gesner I appreciate your feedback!! I find the idea very risky to take on a property that has below market rents and to get the tenants out, but if that’s how it’s done I will find a way. 


    There is work involved, but many of us have purchased property with existing tenants paying below-market rates. That's how we buy property below market value and force appreciation.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Maribel ManiboPro Member
    Real Estate Investor · Alamance County, NC · Member since 2016 · 34 posts · 14 votes
    3y

    followup question: for house hack, do you tend to indicate you are the owner or not? I would assume it's ideal to buy with an entity. 

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.