Unique Tenant Situation

[Toro Tran]

Hi all!

I have a unique tenant situation, to say the lease (pun intended). The property is located in the tenant-friendly state of Massachusetts, in the city of Boston.

I have a lease agreement with a tenant that ends in the end of June. She's planning to move out. However, I didn't know until this last weekend that she has secretly subletted a room to her mom (in clear violation of the lease). I finally spoke with the mom, and she conveyed the message that she (even though the rest of the family will leave) will not vacate the property at the end of the lease. Money and arguing hasn't persuade her to change her mind.

I am not sure what to do. I have a tenant that is cooperative but a subleasor who is not. Is my only option to wait until the lease ends in June (tenant leaves) and then evict the mom through the court process?

Thanks

[Mike Cumbie]

Assuming your lease states that only people on the lease are allowed to live there, I would serve a notice to her that it has come to your attention that she has an unauthorized person living in the unit. Highlight the lease section and let her know that an eviction will be on her record if she does not remedy the situation. Your only real leverage is the daughter at this point and her interest in not messing up her rental history. I would not offer the mother anything or argue with her. You have no lease with the woman so there is not really anything to say to her (unless you wait till the end of June in which case she is your problem).

Good Luck and I hope it works out the best for you.