I have a long-term tenant that's been with me for over 10 years. My wife is ill and I need to bring Family for support. What do you think is the best way of going about letting them know that I would need the place vacant.
1. Hopefully your lease has a clause that addresses owner re-occupation.
2. If you don't have a clause and there is a valid lease in place you more than likely have to honor the lease unless you can come to an agreement i.e. cash for keys.
3. I would meet with them, discuss the situation and give them a reasonable time to vacate 90 days or more. They've been there 10 years, I imagine they've accumulated a lot of stuff.
Bottomline they sound like they've been good tenants, give them the easiest way out.
This is a tough situation, and you want to handle it with care, especially since your tenant has been with you for a decade. The best approach is to be honest, personal, and understanding.
I’d suggest having a conversation with them in person or over the phone first—before handing over any official notice. Just be upfront.
Check your lease agreement and local eviction laws. Some areas have specific rules for no-fault evictions, especially for long-term tenants.
If your tenant is month-to-month, you’ll likely need to provide at least 30-60 days’ notice, depending on your state laws.
Follow up with a formal written notice, stating the move-out deadline and any legal requirements.