Tenant demanding $3000 to move out

Tenant demanding $3000 to move out

New to Real Estate · South TX · Member since 2013 · 45 posts · 15 votes

I need Help!!! Just a heads up long post.

I had to move for work and was debating on renting my house out. In Jan 2019 I made an agreement with text message proof “not sure if that means anything “ with my cousin that he could stay in the my home and rent it out until 02/01/2020. I hired a property management company and they provided the tenant with the wrong move out date “05/19/2020” on the lease agreement. On my original contact between me and the property management company I set the move out date to be 02/01/2020. I informed the tenant that the date was an error and that it would be updated.

Now fast forward to Dec 2019 and I am listing the house for sale due to unforeseen circumstances. My “tenant” refused to allow the house to be shown and demanded I pay $3000 for him to move out by 02/02/2020. Somehow my realtor sweet talked him and he only allowed the house to be shown on a Friday and Sunday. After few hours he cancelled the rest of the showings for the day and that Sunday. Thankfully I got a buyer. I’m set to close on 02/14/2020 with no idea if he is going to move out. I even offered him $1,000 cash for keys and he refused saying that was not enough and he wants $3,000 to move. My PM company did provide him with a 60 day notice that is set to expire 02/19/2020.

My PM company has been trying to contact him for a little over a month with no response. I have been trying to contact him as well and no response. He told my realtor “everyone is getting something out of this but me”.

What should I do? I really could use any type of advice.

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Real Estate Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2014 · 236 posts · 328 votes
6y

This is why you'll never rent to family again.  

My idiot brother (who is a realtor) rented my mom's apartment to a cousin who is late with the rent ALL the time!  It sucks that your cousin is a dirtbag who is trying to get money from you for your hard work, but you offered $1k and he asked for $3k.  See if you can meet in the middle.  Even at $3k it's probably not worth losing a house sale over.  So try to talk it down, then take the hit and move on and make some more money.  That loser will probably never have $3k again in his hands again his whole life.  So you win at life!  

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  • Member since 2018 · 563 posts · 562 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Joseph ODonovan:

    @Asia Jones Well Asia, if he refused CFK then start eviction proceedings immediately. I would strongly recommend engaging a landlord tenant attorney. Good luck.

     I agree with Joseph...it's time to start playing hardball! I would start with legal notices/letters that sum up his multiple lease violations. Depending on what state you're in I would be trying to evict him asap or whatever the preliminary notices for that path.

    Also, if weed is illegal in the state, you could call the cops on him...don't feel bad, he brought it on himself, by not taking the very generous $3k buyout.

    Best of luck with whatever path you decide on!

  • Investor · Bethel, AK · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 852 votes
    6y

    @Asia Jones @joe Splitrock. I hate cash for keys. next time somebody asks this guy to move it will cost them even more. It’s like giving a bully at school your lunch money. I would be more inclined to offer the buyer a 3,000 ( depending on how you feel maybe more??) discount to wait for the house or even offer them enough to cover rent someplace else until the house is vacated. Just a thought. RR

  • Alex KhanPro Member
    Specialist · Southeast Michigan · Member since 2015 · 300 posts · 244 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Asia Jones:

    I need Help!!! Just a heads up long post.

    I had to move for work and was debating on renting my house out. In Jan 2019 I made an agreement with text message proof “not sure if that means anything “ with my cousin that he could stay in the my home and rent it out until 02/01/2020. I hired a property management company and they provided the tenant with the wrong move out date “05/19/2020” on the lease agreement. On my original contact between me and the property management company I set the move out date to be 02/01/2020. I informed the tenant that the date was an error and that it would be updated.

    Now fast forward to Dec 2019 and I am listing the house for sale due to unforeseen circumstances. My “tenant” refused to allow the house to be shown and demanded I pay $3000 for him to move out by 02/02/2020. Somehow my realtor sweet talked him and he only allowed the house to be shown on a Friday and Sunday. After few hours he cancelled the rest of the showings for the day and that Sunday. Thankfully I got a buyer. I’m set to close on 02/14/2020 with no idea if he is going to move out. I even offered him $1,000 cash for keys and he refused saying that was not enough and he wants $3,000 to move. My PM company did provide him with a 60 day notice that is set to expire 02/19/2020.

    My PM company has been trying to contact him for a little over a month with no response. I have been trying to contact him as well and no response. He told my realtor “everyone is getting something out of this but me”.

    What should I do? I really could use any type of advice.

    First remind him that he’ll Be out on 02/19/20 anyways with or without any money then offer him  $1500 Cash for keys to get out now.  

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 84 posts · 462 votes
    6y

    I'm not sure of Georgia laws, but my lease has a 30 day notice clause in it. All I have to do to end a lease is give the tenant a 30 day notice to vacate. If they don't then I can file an eviction on the 31st day. If you have the ability that is what I would do if your buyer needs to be in by the end of Feb. The clock is definitely ticking as usually the eviction process takes about 30 days from start to finish.

  • Member since 2019 · 59 posts · 31 votes
    6y

    @Asia Jones  I am really sorry to hear about your troubles.  I do hope you can get things worked out with your family. 

  • New to Real Estate · South TX · Member since 2013 · 45 posts · 15 votes
    6y

    Update everyone the tenant has failed to pay January’s rent and is refusing to pay. I now have the solution to my problem the eviction process has officially started. Thanks for all the responses and help.

  • Insurance Agent · Bloomington, IN · Member since 2019 · 41 posts · 17 votes
    6y

    @Asia Jones

    Best idea I’ve heard is to make them a bargain. Say you were going to pay someone $500 to clean the unit after they left but, if they clean it really well, you’ll give them the $500 instead. Gives them something, takes out the sense that you’re giving in, and removes the feeling that you’re in a negotiation.

  • Member since 2018 · 563 posts · 562 votes
    6y

    Thanks for the update @Asia Jones I'm glad to hear cousin made his own bed!

    Also, I just want to reiterate for the thousandth time on BP...

    Secret Book of Landlord Codes of Conduct Section 1, Paragraph 1, First Sentence....Don't rent to relatives or friends!

    Best of luck and much prosperity!

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Asia Jones:

    Update everyone the tenant has failed to pay January’s rent and is refusing to pay. I now have the solution to my problem the eviction process has officially started. Thanks for all the responses and help.

    Fingers crossed it goes smoothly. 

  • Investor · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    @Asia Jones  Yay!  Now you see why renting to family/friends is a MAJOR NO NO!  Sad but a relief for you, I'm sure!

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