Breaking the lease tenant moves out - Landlord Forum thread

Breaking the lease tenant moves out by Anonymous on April 29, 2012 @16:32

Tenant claims she is a caregiver and need to move out because the person died and she has to take care of her affairs. Her bills..Claims she is breaking the lease because she has no money to pay the rent until the unit is rerented. Help please? I believe she is responsible for the lease until I can get the unit rerented.
Does any one know?

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Re: Breaking the lease tenant moves out by Jake on April 29, 2012 @16:44	[ Reply ]

First of all, is the story for real? If your renant is truly breaking your lease because of a hardship it will be difficult to get anything from her. Most tenants who break a lease leave owing rent and have trashed the palce. If your tenant is leaving your place in good condition, does not owe money and is truly suffering a hardship, you may want to think about this one.

Re: Breaking the lease tenant moves out by Kathleen Clohessy (WI) on April 29, 2012 @17:08	[ Reply ]

Is her name on the lease? If she was JUST the caregiver it probably isn't. If it is, then she is legally responsible for the rent until the end of the lease OR until you re-rent the unit (or per your state law, which may only allow you to collect a certain amount.) However, think about the circumstances before going forward. Does the woman work? If not, how are you going to collect any money even if you DO take her to court and win. As the other person said, if she's telling the truth you might want to just do the right thing and let her go. With that said some states have provisions for abatement of rent if the tenant dies. You may need to contact a lawyer to find out, or look up your state law on the net.

Re: Breaking the lease tenant moves out by Fred (MN) on April 30, 2012 @13:25	[ Reply ]

Check your local laws, but most likely she is responsible for the rent, that's what leases are all about. If there is one thing I know for certain, its that tenants lie like rugs. So verify her situation. If she's telling the truth, then I agree with the other responders, let her go.