Three weeks ago I started advertising to find a new tenant to move in in January. I found a potential one right away. Two weeks ago I confirmed with my current tenant that they still planned to move out and she said yes. I showed my townhouse to the potential tenant, who really liked it. All of a sudden my current tenant said she really wants to stay and is looking for a roommate. I checked with her a couple times and she still hadn't found one. On Monday the potential tentant told me she definitely wants the place starting in January when my current tenants move out, and will send me the deposit. Yesterday (Tuesday afternoon) I said great, you have a deal.

Last night (Tuesday night) my current tenant texted me and said she had found a roommate. She says the new roommate will sign a lease to start in January. I told her I'm sorry but the other woman had just told me that she wanted it for sure in January and I had said okay. My current tenant is very upset and wants to stay. I don't know what I can/should do now!

Sounds like you made a valiant effort to find out whether the current tenant WAS able to stay. When she still had not found a roommate, you went ahead with what any good landlord would do; found someone to replace her.

Listen; get the new one to sign a lease so you don't end up with everyone moving out/not coming in January.

Gail

Make sure the holding fee you collect from the new one is marked non-refundable in the event tenant changes her mind.