Great Prospect Wants 9/1 Move-In, How to Retain?

[Art Maydan]

I’m house hacking a duplex and the last tenant’s lease ended on the 31st. I’ve been looking for a new renter for two weeks and haven’t found anyone who I liked who also wanted the unit. The rent is on the higher end in the area, but it’s also the nicest place in the area. A lady who would be perfect came by yesterday, but she’s locked in at her current place until 9/1. She liked the place and said she wanted it and the rent is lower than what she’s paying now. I said I was pretty confident I could find someone before then and get pro-rated August rent, but I liked her and we could sign a lease if she paid half a month of August rent to lock down the unit. She said that was reasonable at the time and still wanted to apply. Now, she said that this would be too much. We agreed on a $500 move-in fee as well (no deposit).

I really don’t want to forego all of August rent, but she is a great tenant. I’m thinking of maybe offering to skip the August rent is she signs a 2-year lease. Thoughts? Can you think of any other ways I can keep her without losing a month of rent? Thank you!