All Forum Posts by: Linda Roberts

Is there a standard letter that I need to send tenants a month before the end of their lease to remind them to move out by the end of the term? They already responded three months ago that they are not renewing the lease. I just want to ensure that they will move out on time because I have new tenants moving in the next day. Should I send a notice to quit a month before they move out?

Is there any standard paperwork I need to sign with a troublesome tenant who, after long negotiations, moved out on time? Specifically, anything indicating that the lease is completed and both sides have no claims or issues with each other.

My current tenants have a lease until August 31, but they plan to move out and return the keys by August 15. I don’t plan to reimburse them for moving out earlier. The new tenants, starting their lease on September 1, have asked to move their furniture in earlier.

Can the current tenants request the keys back since their lease isn't over until August 31? Is there any paperwork I need to complete with them to confirm that returning the keys means their lease is officially over?

Thank you @Nathan Gesner   The tenant doesn't want to move out because he can't find equivalent living arrangements at this price. If I don't renew his lease without cause, but he knows that I renewed the leases of other tenants in the house, could this be considered discrimination? If he starts asking questions about why I don't want to renew his lease, do I need to provide any answers?

Thank you.

Thanks @Wesley W. for the detailed reply. The reason I don't go with MTM is that rent in my area is very seasonal. If I don't rent from July to September, all the qualified candidates will be gone.

I have a problem tenant who is extremely annoying and creates many problems for other tenants. For example, he made a huge deal about a sublet in another apartment, which is none of his business. He pays rent on time. What are my options? I don’t have a good reason to terminate the lease. What about the lease for next year? Should I write that I won’t renew it? Should I state any reasons? Can I just increase the rent to some unrealistic amount (there's no rent control in my state)? What is the right way to handle this?

 Yes they signed a new lease, but last month check is still with me from the 1st year and in August they will use this last month check. I want to prorate it to the current rent and ask them to pay the difference. Is it a normal practice? 

My tenants have lived in the house for several years. During this time, the rent has increased by $650. How do you handle the difference between the original last month's rent and the current rent? Do you require tenants to add the difference to the last month's payment each year with a rent increase? Is this stated in the lease agreement?

@Chris Seveney. Thanks Chris. That's what I thought. While the other friends/tenants have agreed to share responsibility, I'm concerned that once they're actually accountable, they may opt to drop the lease and, ideally, move out. Do you think it would be sensible to suggest to her parents that they deposit enough funds into her US bank account to cover the rent? I can't ask her to pay upfront in Mass, but at least the money will be on her account.

My tenants want to add their friend to the lease for a third room. She's expecting to receive a job offer, currently unemployed but has  a good payment history. To address the situation, she has suggested her parents co-sign the lease. While her parents are financially qualified, they reside in Canada, raising concerns about enforceability and payment logistics.Can I get anything from them? Should I ask for a deposit in their daughter's US account? Any other ideas to ensure rent payments?