Tenant won't let me show house to potential buyers

[Priscilla Z.]

My tenant won't give me permission to show my house to potential buyers. I am marketing it for sale WITH the rental agreement. This was explained to her, that she does not need to leave the property and that the investor that purchases it will want her to stay, but she is uncooperative.

Florida Statute says we need to send a letter stating she needs to "cure" this issue within 7 days or else we can begin the eviction process. We did this. The 7th day is tomorrow, I really do not want to go through the eviction process, especially since it's taking so long in my county.

Has anyone had this problem and been successful in getting your tenant to cooperate? Any advice would be appreciated.

[James H.]

Well, if you get nasty with her and try eviction, she might mess the place up. Add to that the cost of eviction and it might be financially better to just wait her out, depending on your cirmumstances. It sounds like she is just going to be difficult. How much time is left on the lease?

You can use your knowledge of her love of the house to your advantage. These are the options I would give her:

1) You can remain uncooperative and when your lease expires I will not renew it and you will have 0 chance of living here in the future.

2) You can cooperate and allow me to sell this house to another investor who will let you stay as long as you pay rent on time and might even be willing to owner finance the house to you.

3) You can provide the down payment I need to justify owner financing and I'll sell the house to you.

Make it clear to her that the house will get sold to someone and that you will not allow anyone to prevent you from doing what you want to do with YOUR property.

So, she might think that she's going to look out for her own interest and now your in a tough spot. But the reality is that she's in a tough spot too. All you need is time. She needs a place to live.