Just purchased property, tenant wants to move out.

[Grant Doyle]

I have just purchased a quadplex a week ago and a tenant is wanting to break her lease. She is in the biggest unit that rents for the most ($925). She wants to leave because her sister is no longer helping her with rent and she is struggling financially. My plan was to save this first year and renovate the units as people move out but with her moving out this soon I am worried I can't renovate it the way it should be done and not get it rented. She had just signed a year long lease in September. I am house hacking this property and living in the unit next to hers. Any advice for how to handle the situation? 

[Kyle J.]

Sounds like this was a tenant that you inherited from the previous owner.  Although the timing isn't ideal, I'd let her move and pick a new tenant that you personally screen and is better qualified.  (Doesn't sound like this one is qualified if her sister had to help her with the rent.)  I like to pick my own tenants anyway when I purchase a property.

Realistically, you can't force a tenant to stay.  They'll leave whenever they want to.  However, the last thing you'd want to do is try to force one to stay who is telling you she can't afford to pay the rent.  Ultimately, you'll just end up with a non-paying tenant and an expensive eviction on your hands.  Get them out while they're willing to leave voluntarily and do what you need to do to get a qualified, paying tenant in there.  It's just part of the business.