Terminating Month to Month

[Mark Bookhagen]

Hi BP,

I'm looking for some advice. I think I should terminate a m2m lease for one of my units because I keep getting (valid/serious) complaints about them. It has caused one tenant (good) tenant to move out. My question is, should I or do I have to cite the reason for my terminating the lease in the termination letter? Also, can someone recommend a template for the letter? Thanks! 

Note: I'm in New York State.

[Marcia Maynard]

I don't know New York state law, so my suggestion is to fully research and understand what you can and can not do according to landlord-tenant law for your jurisdiction.

Here in Washington State we can terminate a M2M rental agreement with a 20-day Notice, no cause, except in the King County/Seattle area which requires the landlord to show cause.

If you can do a "no cause" termination, by all means do so. It is easier and can't be contested. If not, then pursue a "for cause" termination. Did you already give the tenant notices to comply/conform for the ongoing trouble, tied to rental agreement violations? The lease/rental agreement is key for defining what a tenant can and can not do, as well as your remedies for situations that arise.

Stay on top of it. Demonstrate to the other tenants that you are taking action to remedy the situation as it affects them. Good luck.