I just had a tenant move out without giving notice

[Josie Foreman]

I/m in Dallas Fort Worth i just had a tenant move out without notice. What are my rights and what do i do next.

Thanks Everyone!

J Foreman

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

If they turned the keys over to you, or otherwise specifically notified you they had left, then get busy and clean/prep for a new Tenant! Don't waste time, Holidays are approaching very soon, and school is in session; most areas will reflect much less interest until March, particularly for anything three bedroom or more.

On your initial inspection, document every room, and inside every cabinet and major appliance with photos, make your list of Tenant damages and get them handled/invoiced within the required timeline per local law. Make lawful deductions from the Security Deposit, document accordingly, and send your reconciliation accounting to the Tenant's forwarding address if known, or to them at the Rental Address, Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. If they did not have the Post Office forward their mail, it will be returned to you. You keep it, unopened, for evidence that you made the required effort.

Coordinate other needed, but normal "wear and tear" repairs and touch up as well as any additional updates you may need to get the place back on the market ASAP. Once you get it rented, the prior Tenant's obligation would terminate (unless you have a specific penalty close for breaking the Agreement), and the full extent of what they owe will now be documented. (In most jurisdictions, you cannot "double dip", collecting rent for the same calendar days from incoming and outgoing Tenants.)

When all of that is out of the way, then consider whether you want to go after a money judgment for that amount that is owed. Generally, if the Tenants were just young and dumb, there is a reasonable chance at some point in their life they may desire to clear their credit history which is costing them in terms of high interest rates and denial of financing. If, on the other hand, they are older, past their "prime", with a history of bad habits...it probably is not worth the cost or effort. Those types Just Don't Care.