Re: Promise to Lease - Landlord Forum thread 348865

Re: Promise to Lease by Anonymous (MA) on October 21, 2016 @11:36

I thought maybe we could sign something like an agreement to lease, if there is such a thing. I have been looking for a tenant for nearly 5 months, and I'd hate to lose her. She lives nearby and wants to keep the children in the same school and really loves the apartment. It's in a two-family in a very nice neighborhood, and has been completely renovated. She said she couldn't find anything else nearby that she liked as much. I'm hoping she takes my word for it.

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Re: Promise to Lease by Garry on October 21, 2016 @12:27	[ Reply ]

If you have been looking for a T for 5 months, then what is wrong with the property? Doesn't show well? Needs updating? Too high a rent? Poor location? Too high rent criteria/picky LL? Have you TOTALLY checked out this person you want to move in? Are you dropping your rent criteria just BECAUSE you have been 5 months without a renter? Don't do that. Lower the rent or change the physical structure of the place first. A person currently going thru a divorce, is generally NOT a good prospect. Get as much money from her UP FRONT, as your state allows-------first, last, and a double deposit if possible. And sign just a 6 month lease to get you thru the winter. Then decide if you still want her as a T.

Re: Promise to Lease by Anonymous (MA) on October 21, 2016 @19:30	[ Reply ]

I had 3 bad real estate agents who tried to get me to rent to people without screening (I wrote back then, but nobody believed me). I finally found a good one, and this tenant checked out perfectly. Her credit score is 798 and she makes $150,000 a year. We are doing a lease through next August (9 months). The apartment has been completely renovated and is in excellent condition. Rent is $2,300/month in suburb next to Boston.

Re: Promise to Lease by Anonymous on October 21, 2016 @21:34	[ Reply ]

Please, for the love of god, don't listen to G. He's not reading what you originally posted and he's not answering your question. What you have on your hands right now are a bunch of 'ifs.' If the apartment passes inspection. If she'll still be around and want to rent it after you get your compliance settled. Honestly, your best bet is to leave this alone from now, not take any money from her, and not sign any agreements. She's in a hurry to move and she's going to need a place sooner than the (minimum) 2 months that it's going to take you to finish the lead abatement. Tell her you'll give her a call when your place is compliant, but other than that, deal with the problem at hand instead of creating more by creating an agreement (real or not) with someone who may not want the place after 2 months passes.

Re: Promise to Lease