I bought my first rental with a tenant in it need help.

[Eric Devall]

I have called him two times and left a message saying I would like to meet him and go over some things. It has been 3 days and he still has not called me back. He had a lease with the old owner but it was month to month. He has paid the old owner the rent for this month and it was prorated at the sale so I got some of it. What should I do to try and get him to respond to me? Should I keep calling, send a letter, try and go over to the house? Please help thanks! Eric

[Kelly N.]

It could be something simple- the number given to you might not be his!  Or it could be that he has his head in the sand, since most tenants living in a building that is for sale assume the new owner is giving them the boot asap.  

Go over there with a letter outlining that your bought the building, details of the lease (how much is rent and when it is due, how much the deposit is and where it is now), how to pay you rent, how to contact you for any questions or maintenance concerns.  Let him know that you want him to stay, but prefer that he sign a new lease with you, and offer to meet with him to go over and sign the lease.  I usually leave these letters with the tenants during the walk through that we do right before closing, but I don't typically mention the new lease since they have all been on 12 month terms with at least a few months to go...

If he isn't home, leave the letter, and make sure he knows he needs to contact you.  I wouldn't threaten, but maybe mention that NOT signing a lease with you means you will be serving him his 30 (or 60 if applicable) day notice that he has to move.

Kelly