Non-Renewal Notice in MA - Landlord Forum thread 252922

Non-Renewal Notice in MA by Anonymous (MA) on April 10, 2012 @10:29

I have a one year lease with my tenants in a two family owner occupied home that ends in August. Reviewed my lease last night and there is no provision for an automatic renewal. I will give them the non-renewal in the required in the time frame which is a 60 day notice. I have read on this website in other states that you have to give them a reason for a non-renewal. My reason for non-renewal is to re-hab the apartment and raise the rent. I haven't raise the rent for quite some time and have been able to keep tenants in the unit for a while. However, this year we need the extra income for our mortgage and increased property taxes, etc., Also, my wife just retired. The extra income from the rent will supplement all of this. Of course, this isn't any of the tenant's business.

Do you have to give a reason for non-renewal to your tenants in MA? I would think not because previous tenants we had gave us 60 days notice of non-renewal without a reason. Also, in my lease it has a provision for "holdover". Which I can start eviction proceedings if they don't vacate the premises at the end of the tenancy. I am just trying to prepare myself in case they refuse to leave.

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Re: Non-Renewal Notice in MA by Katiekate (New York) on April 10, 2012 @10:49	[ Reply ]

You didn't read here that you have to give a reason....because you don't. I had a unit a long time back that I wanted to get empty and renovate. Because I didn't have rent control, I was able to raise the rent by $100 each month. It took only 2 months ($200) to get them to move. I had no problem with them hanging on till I had to file for holdover eviction...they were glad to be leaving. (knowning that I was raising the rent by another $100 for the 3rd month in a row was powerful motivation for them to get gone).

Re: Non-Renewal Notice in MA by Jake on April 10, 2012 @10:54	[ Reply ]

You can expect a lot of whining and foot dragging from your tenant. However, when the time comes and they are not out you must immediately get started on an eviction. Many tenants will not pay the last month or two of rent so they can use your money to finance their move. This should trigger an immediate action on your part to start the eviction process on the first day late. Serve a Pay or Quit notice immediately followed by an eviction notice. I do not believe there is a requirement to provide a reason for the nonrenewal. But you need to have something ready when the tenant ask why. It is enough to say you are remodeling and you will need the place vacant for a number of months. They will offer to stay through the remodel. But you must insist that it will just not be possible because the electricity and water will have to be off for an extended time.

Re: Non-Renewal Notice in MA