What to Do--Brand New Tenant Wants Out for Medical Reasons

[Brian Kraft]

With the lease starting today, I have a tenant who contacted me yesterday saying she was just diagnosed with "a virus" and needs to get out of the lease. She says she probably needs to take leave without pay from work, as well as possibly leave Denver and Colorado to head back to her parents in Indiana, so they can help with the situation. What would you do?

I have June's rent and the security deposit, but I feel like I should probably do what I can to get the place re-rented (I do my own leasing). It's not something I look forward to-- with this last turnover being an unusually more challenging/lengthy process, but I certainly don't feeling like holding her "hostage."

My feeling is, I can work to get it re-rented, but until that happens--she's responsible. I don't have any language that covers this situation in the lease--because the agreement is--she's responsible. But would you charge a re-renting fee? Take the full deposit (equal to 1 month)? Or what?

Thanks for any advice.