Inheritting Bad Tennants

[Brandon Blakley]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a duplex property that has a tenant whom signed a 5 year lease with the current owner. This lease is underpriced and the tenant is a very bad tenant (hoarder) to have in a house that I own. I really like the propert so want to find a way around the lease. Any advice? Thanks.

[Ned J.]

I would thoroughly review the lease and have an eviction attorney review it. Depending on how solid it is, you may be able to evict due to lease violations about the property in regards to maintaining the property, pests, etc. The caveat with that is if it goes to court, the judge may cite the fact that you bought it knowing that it was in this condition....with a 5 year lease....so you bought it "as is", knowing full well that there were already lease violations..... that may work against you.

Only other option is cash for keys....and you had better set up a price "pre- purchase" and have a contract in place as well as factor that cost in to your purchase agreement with the seller

Unless this is a smoking deal and you are 99% sure you can get these people out in a quick and legal way, I'd pass....... 5 year lease? Bad news for most landlords........