Tenant Turnover Situation

[Angela Armstrong]

Hello, I’m sure I do not have a unique situation but it is the first time for me. I had a tenant give the proper 30 day notice that they will be terminating the lease because they will be purchasing a home. I’m the meantime I was able to find a new tenant who has paid the security deposit, first month rent, and has scheduled utilities to be transferred to their name but no lease has been signed yet. A week before the original tenants official move out date was scheduled they informed me that they were “dropped” by the lender and they are starting to work with a new lender. I had 14 days to turn over the property and now they don’t even know when they will be out. My question is how should I proceed and who am I legally obligated to, the old tenant or the new tenant?

I am in Pennsylvania.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Angela Armstrong:

They don't know when they will be out?

They will be out on the day you told them to be out. If they can't close on their house, they will have to figure out a temporary solution. It's not your problem.

Make it clear that you've given proper notice, you already have a new tenant lined up, and it is not negotiable. If they refuse to leave, you can evict them, which could show up on their credit report and prevent them from buying a home for the next seven years!