Buying Out a Tenant for owner to move in

[Powell DiGangi]

Dear BP

We have a rental property and wanting to do an owner move in eviction.  The tenant has been there for 10 years.  Due to covid there are no evictions of any kind currently in Oakland and we also want to avoid any legal battle.  So we are wanting to approach our tenant as see if they are amicable to moving out.  We would be willing pay to relocation costs.  Does anyone have any experience with this.  What strategy do you recommend?  How much have you offered etc?

Thanks so much

[Osazee Edebiri]

Quote from @Michael J.:

Cash for keys is definitely a good strategy when trying to get Tenants to leave.  I'd have a conversation with them first and see what their expectations are before you offer anything.   Let them do the talking and see what they say.  You might save some money this way.

Michael is right but since it is Oakland this can be trickier.

I have done a few in the past. 

Yes found if they are interested and what they know. Oakland has minimums that you are supposed to pay tenants to move. Plus all the rules can be found on the Oakland Rent Board website. 

Then you  should talk to an eviction lawyer. I used local The law Offices of Alan J. Horowitz.

You will draft up a contract pay them half up front and half when they leave.

Tenants don’t have to take it, unless you were able to do something like the owner occupied move in, but as you stated moratorium is still in affect.