Tenant Lease Ending Question

[Tina Dupart]

Cohoes, New York:  My tenant (and her co-signer) owes me 10k in backpay for rent. Her lease is up at the end of November. (This month) Our property manager said that the tenant's attorney wants me to renew our lease for another year, and, in return, she would pay all her backpay. I don't want to renew her lease. She will continue to not pay me.

Does anyone know the best way to get this tenant out of my house without getting sued by her and/or the State of New York because of Covid-19?  Do I have any exposure legally?  I gave her 30 days notice to leave since the lease is up at the end of November. Should I be hiring a lawyer? If so, does anyone know of a good, honest attorney from Albany area in New York?  If Covid is an issue, should we consider giving her a 90 month to month lease while telling her attorney that she must pay 10k first before we will accept the 90 day month to month lease. I will not extend her lease past 90 days.  The BEST scenario is if she can move out end of this month. I will forego the 10k. I just want to be rid of her and her so called "co-signer".

[Theresa Harris]

If you don't want to renew the lease, tell them that.  The promise of money is likely an empty one and I wouldn't renew the lease without having the money in your pocket BEFORE you renew the lease.  99% of the time, they are full of it and buying themselves more time.  If you are worried about the lawyer, hire one of your own.