Notice of tenant moving - timing question

[Dan O'Neill]

Hey fellow landlords, need some opinions/advice.

I have a tenant on month-to-month.  The lease requires 30 days written notice to leave.  I got a text Mar 4 that she'd be moving with no date indicated.  After speaking to her, I got verbal notice that she would be leaving end of April.  She had been sending me text updates and as of Mar 23 via text we were still on April as the final month.  Fast forward a week and she's gone and doesn't want to pay April and I'm left with an empty unit for the month.  Thoughts?  

[Kelly N.]

Hey Dan,

Do you have a text from her stating the end of April is her planned move out date?  If so, that's in writing, and she owes rent for April. 

Has she given you something in writing stating that she's vacated?  If so, get in there and get it ready to rent.  If you don't have a tenant lined up already, start advertising.  You are obligated to attempt to mitigate the damages by trying to find a tenant to move in and pay some of April's rent.  If you do, both rents will be prorated- new tenant pays for the days they occupy the apartment in April, old tenant pays for the rest of the month.

Use her deposit to cover any damages, then the rent she owes.  Send her an itemized list of deductions within 30 days to  her new address, if she didn't provide one send it to the apartment she was living in as her last known address.  If she owes more, send her a bill, but I doubt you will ever see it.  

Lastly, she sounds like a bit of a flake, and would have likely caused more issues remaining as a tenant than she has leaving like this, so be happy to have her out.