Learned a Valuable Lesson About 2 Year Lease Terms

[Jim Macedon]

Well, put me in the camp of no longer accepting two year leases.  The problem, as I've learned recently, is that the lease really only binds the landlord.  The tenant can still leave whenever he wants.

One of my tenants who still has 8 months left on a 2 year lease emailed me the other day to say that she got married, she has a house under contract, and she's moving out November 30th.  "Sorry, I know this is early, but this is what is best for my family."  I responded, congratulated her on her wedding, and politely explained that unless she is the victim of domestic abuse or is a member of the armed services with official orders, she is contractually obligated to pay rent until the end of the lease.  However, I would love to work with her and if she could pay through January to give me at least some opportunity to market after the holidays, I'd waive February through June.  She has not responded, and my wife and I came to the obvious conclusion that she's probably just going to leave November 30th and there really isn't anything I can do about it.  Am I really going to hunt her down and sue her?  No.  Therefore, 2 year leases are worthless for the landlord.