Re: How do I legally not renew a lease? - Landlord Forum thread 342663

Re: How do I legally not renew a lease? by Garry (Iowa) on February 1, 2016 @00:24

When anyone's lease ends, with no new one to take its place, the only thing that changes is the expiration (ending) date on the lease. Everything else in the lease stays the same, and continues until either the LL or the T gives a properly served notice of a change of any of the terms in the lease. At the end of the current lease, it becomes a M2M lease, meaning either party can give the other a 30 day (possible 60 day in some states) of a change in terms. The T can tell you he/she is moving out, or the LL can tell the T they are raising the rent, or the LL can ask them to move out. Notices must be properly served and time frames observed according to your state's LL/T laws.(his rent stays the same until you change it in writing) A 25% to 50% increase would probably force the T to move, yet probably not be a large enough increase to be illegal. Above the 50% point could get you in trouble with certain state laws, in my opinion. Your letter to the T does not have to be a in a certain form. You can just type one up in your own words either about a rent increase, or simply tell the T you are not renewing his lease, and for him to vacate the premises by a certain date. But follow your states laws about time frames regarding notices and how to serve them. My question to you is, why do you not know your own state's LL/T laws?

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Re: How do I legally not renew a lease? by Anonymous on February 1, 2016 @14:48	[ Reply ]

Why would it get someone in trouble? Unless it's rent controlled, you could charge whatever you want for rent. It's up to the tenant if he wants to pay and stay or to leave.

Re: How do I legally not renew a lease? by Garry (Iowa) on February 2, 2016 @10:36	[ Reply ]

You named it yourself------rent controlled areas of the country. But there is another scenario. Price gouging of certain things in areas where a natural disaster strikes in a large area. When hurricanes strike in large areas along the coasts affecting housing,gasoline, or food supplies. LLs, stores, or gas stations could double their rents, food supplies, or gas prices over night to take advantage of people. For food or gas supplies, the effect would only last a month or less. But people desperate to find a place to live may have to sign a 1 year lease at twice as much as they could afford, or else live on the streets, or find housing 100 miles away. If anyone decides to bring a lawsuit, a judge will be asked to determine if it's price gouging. This isn't going to happen in this case, but it is a possible scenario.