Tenant broke lease wants to move back in (special circumstances)

[Joshua Biondi]

I had a tenant, about 6 months ago, whose brother tragically committed suicide in the home. The tenant informed me that he could not afford rent because of his brother’s funeral expenses, and that he could not bare to live there after the incident. Due to the circumstances I of course let him out of the lease with no further questions asked. Other than that, he was a great tenant. He paid rent, didn’t cause any trouble, left the place clean, and communicated with me during that time.

He texted me this morning asking if I had any apartments available, which I will in about a week, but I’ve increased the rent a decent amount. If I check his employment and he meets the income requirements, I’m not so much worried about him paying rent.

Part of me feels that I should rent to him again because all and all he was a good tenant, and then part of me feels that renting to someone six months after they broke the lease is a bad idea regardless of the circumstances. I almost feel bad even thinking twice about this due to the tragic circumstances that led to him breaking the lease, but at the end of the day I have a business to run.

Experienced landlords, what would you do in this situation?

[Stephen Akindona]

@Joshua Biondi, good question! Personally, if he was a great paying tenant and he tragically had someone pass away unexpectedly (if you believe that story, I have actually had a tenant lie to me about a family member passing) and that caused him to break the lease, I would rent to him again. Having something like that happen can certainly throw your world into a tail spin and now that the storm has passed he is likely stable again. Of course, you are still going to do all of your normal screening and if he checks out at the new rents, he will likely perform how he has shown he can perform. One isolated incident shouldn't disqualify him especially since he communicated well and left the house in great condition. This is a great guy who has passed through a difficult time!