First Tenant Asking to BREAK LEASE after 11 Days! HELP!

[Aaron Macken]

Hey guys, I just listed my first property for rent in Grayslake, IL. 

I went with Dillon Property Management, and they did their due diligence on the tenant and claimed they were a good fit.

The tenants move-in date was October 1, 2022. The tenant is now saying that he broke up with his girlfriend that he moved in (both on the lease), and his ex-wife said he can move back in with her.

I paid the property management company 1 months rent as a tenant placement fee $1950, and the lease was for one year. So I paid $1950 for a tenant to occupy my property from October 1st- October 11th?

Should I enforce the lease and risk the angry tenant trashing my property? Should I let him break the lease? 

Any advise is much appreciated!

- Aaron

[Theresa Harris]

The PM should cover the fees to get it re-rented.  Also tell the tenant they are both responsible for the rent until a new tenant can be found and make sure the PM does NOT return the deposit until after it is rented and you are given any rent that you are out.  So if it is rented and the new tenant moves in Nov 1, the current tenants get the money back minus cleaning fees and any penalty for breaking the lease.  If the new tenant moves in Nov 15, then 15 days of rent is also taken from the deposit.