Dallas Landlord wants to break lease for renovations

[Garrett A. Van Allen]

Hey BP crew. I live in a "up and coming" neighbor hood in Old East Dallas. A year and a half back, I signed a two year lease with the prior own on the triplex I live in. It has since been bought buy a company that has been a nightmare and yesterday I received a letter stating the REQUESTED myself and the other tenants be moved out by July 31st for renovations to be done. I hate the people that manage the house but love the location and price. I believe they can't make me move, I've never been late with rent and have a history of paying several months ahead. Could I simply refuse to allow them to break the lease and tell them they need to wait till January when my lease is up? If I found a place I like before then can I ask they pay me off to move and cover moving expenses? 

[Michael Seeker]

@Garrett A. Van Allen - the owner cannot force you to break the lease because they want to do renovations so you have every right to stay until the lease ends in January.  I would suggest letting them know that you like the area and plan on staying in the building until your lease is up in January and maybe suggest you'd be open to breaking the lease for a fee.  Afterall, they would probably charge you a fee if you broke the lease early (and they weren't planning to remodel).

I've purchased several buildings where I wanted tenants to leave so I could begin work.  I'm always very cordial and try to offer to help them in any way I can.  You're in control of the situation and can accept or refuse any offer you like to move our early.