House is ready, new tenant is not - Landlord Forum thread 350867

House is ready, new tenant is not by Beth (CA) on February 26, 2017 @14:55

I have decided to rent to a well-qualified tenant. The house is ready now but the tenant has not given notice to their current landlord. In the past I have split the difference with a tenant, I will hold the house for two weeks with a holding fee that will be applied to the rent.

What do you do in this situation?

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Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Anonymous on February 26, 2017 @15:22	[ Reply ]

I would require March rent in full. If they do not pay it...then you know they aren't going to be moving in...they are jerking your chain and you need to find a new tenant. I always require a holding fee that is equal to a month's rent. I get it in cash before I stop showing the unit. Tenant agrees in writing that if they fail to subsequently move in...the holding fee is mine to keep, and I will seek another tenant. That way if they flake out on me..I am not out the month of rent just because I waited on them. I bet you don't do this again either.

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Anonymous on February 26, 2017 @15:31	[ Reply ]

"I have decided to rent to a well-qualified tenant" If they have not given notice to their current landlord, they are not well qualified. What answer did they give you for moving?

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Anonymous on February 26, 2017 @16:58	[ Reply ]

Is there a signed lease?

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Garry on February 26, 2017 @17:14	[ Reply ]

We need more info to be able to help you. As of today, do you have a signed lease by both parties, and have you taken any money towards a deposit or holding fee. If the answer is no, then neither of you are committed to each other. You are free to rent to someone else, and the prospective tenant is free to find another place to live, or stay where they are at. If you have a signed lease, but no money, you have a BIG problem. You would be in "limbo" as you could not rent the place to another party because you have a signed lease, and you would have no money till the T gives you some------which could be tomorrow, or never. And it is not your problem that the T has not given notice to his current LL. All you should care about is if YOU have a signed lease and a FULL deposit from him. I, too, have "split the difference" over the years with a T. But it is the RENT I split, never a deposit (we don't have holding fees in Iowa, just deposits)

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Anonymous on February 26, 2017 @18:46	[ Reply ]

I tell all applicants that the house will be ready on the 1st. Several times I have had tenants that give their notice at old place and take the month to get moved in, get previous rental cleaned, and do what they need to do. Do you have another applicant that you have decided to be your second choice? Go with them if they qualify.

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by Anonymous on February 27, 2017 @09:42	[ Reply ]

I agree that the tenant is not even qualified if they have not given notice, one of the first questions in screening a prospective tenant.

Re: House is ready, new tenant is not by lamac66 (ga) on February 27, 2017 @10:11	[ Reply ]

I keep holding open houses showing the property if I haven't got a hold from prospect.