Showing Rental During 30 Day Moveout Period

[Al Williamson]

I've always avoided marketing an occupied unit after receiving a 30-day notice. But I see the error in my ways.

Does anyone hold showing before the departing tenant leaves? Tell me how you pull this off. Thanks

[Fran Flanagan]

When my tenants told me months early that they wouldn't be renewing their lease, as they had to move for his job, I asked if I could show the place a few times before their lease was up. They were interested in moving out a week or two earlier than their lease, so I agreed to give them back 1/4 of their last month's rent. I took one day to change the locks and touch up a few things (the place was near spotless when they left) and my new tenants started that week.

It ended up being win / win for everyone. I'm sure you can work something out if you're permitted to show it 2 or 3 times. They have it clean enough to show, and if you have a lease signed before they move out then you give them $100 or $200 to help cover the cost of their move.

The rent on my place was $1750/month, so having time to screen tenants + a short vacancy is way more important to me than a couple hundred dollars.

[Shaun Reilly]

I usually get in touch with the current resident and first talk to them about why they are leaving and see if there is anything we can work out to have them stay (If I would want them to).

Has never worked out so then I tell them I would like to put the place on the market and would like to make arrangements of when I can. Usually I ask for 1 or 2 evenings that I can make appointments and will let them know if I have any. All my tenants that have actually given notice have been solid and have always agreed to an arrangement like this.

If someone wants to see it during the day or a weekend or just a different evening I will specifically ask them if it is okay.

Also I will only show a place that is occupied if I am there, if it is vacant I will allow an agent to show it. I let the current residents know this and I think it makes them more comfortable with people going through the place.

Good luck Al!

[Aaron Mazzrillo]

I make the departing tenant show the property if we had a good experience doing business together. It has worked out great and I get a quick turn over. I am doing it now with a tenant moving out the end of this month and it is going well.

[Mike Franco]

There's usually an incentive involved. My previous 2 tenants wanted to leave early. I gave them that option provided that I could show the house on the weekends.

But even so, it was somewhat difficult because the carpets were dirty. That didn't make a good impression on some prospects.

In the distant past, I would usually have to eat 1-2 weeks rent.

Any kind of incentive you can give the tenant would likely be better than losing 2 weeks to vacancy.

[Alan Mackenthun]

My lease states that they need to make the place available for showings when needed. As long as the place is in reasonably decent shape without major repairs required, I list it at least 30 days early or as early as possible. It requires a little coordination with the tenants as we still need to give them reasonable notice of showings. We've always received good cooperation from tenants. When showing we let the prospective tennants know of any repairs or improvements planned upon turnover. This has definitely limited the time the unit sits vacant. The biggest problem is getting the property turned over (cleaned, painted, etc) when one tenant leaves on the 30th and the next is moving in on the 1st. Not the worst problem to have. Explaining the fact that tennants are still present helps with scheduling showings in groups. Group showings help to give prospective tennants a sense of scarcity and demand. It seems to work better than showing a vacant unit.

[Elizabeth Colegrove]

@Al Williamson

My lease states that I can show the house to future tenants once notice has been provided (within 60 days) with 24 hours notice. So far everyone has had no problem with this. I also don't have tons of people come through. Usually less than a handful, so I don't abuse their understanding. I also have my leases come up on a Friday and new tenants start Sunday. This way I only lose one days rent.

[Pat L.]

we always have an open house, as soon as mutually possible, after they notify us ....& we have never had a problem yet

[Al Williamson]

Thanks everyone for the inspiration. Now that my eyes have been open to the error of my ways, I'm planning to be more active during this period. Being passive has really hurt my cash flow this year. I've learned my lesson.