Question regarding 30 day notice...

[Pat Martin]

I have a tenant whose lease is up August 5th and she contacted me today saying they will be leaving at the end of lease.  Im guessing that she does not have to give 30 day notice because she's just following the lease, but how do you guys deal with that so that you don't have a tenant tell you a few days before end of lease that they will be leaving?  She verbally agreed to resign at the end of the term but then changed her mind.  Also how early would you have them sign a new lease?  A month before end?  Thanks!

[Lynn McGeein]

Read the actual lease terms.  If she is required to give 30 days' notice, then she would be responsible for rent for another month if she did not give proper notice.  If lease does not specify, however, then, not a lawyer, no legal advice, but it would depend on local landlord/tenant act and what they require for notice.

Personally, if she is giving you any notice at all and plans to leave, I would make sure she thinks things are fine until she is out without damaging anything, then send her itemized deductions on security deposit until you rent it out again as allowed by local laws.