Termination of Month to Month Lease

[Megan Palmieri]

Hello all,

We have a long time tenant-the last of the tenants from a crooked property manager-we are now self managing all of our properties.

We have rentals in Michigan, California, Hawaii and Georgia. This tenant in question is in Atlanta where we also reside.

We are on a month to month lease with him. He ALWAYS pays late but includes the late fee. He is now 9 days late and we would like to take possession of the property.

I know eviction is an option, but other than being late on rent this tenant is always cooperative and honest. We would like to just end the month to month lease agreement and take possession.

Tenant is currently out of town long term for work and family. He actually seems to have another place to stay but “doesn’t want to lose the place in Atlanta because the rent is so cheap.” Ugh.

Is it acceptable to email the lease termination to him? Everything I read says it must be hand delivered but I don’t know if that applies in this situation. Since we started self managing we have had awesome tenants so I have never had to end a tenancy before.

Any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated. I have learned so much from this site/app/podcast!!!!

Thank you!

[Jim Weigel]

I do not know GA law, but most allow for certified mail. Send it and be done. I am pretty sure it is all spelled out. If in doubt, grab a local property manager and pay them to learn the process.

If you do not want to go that route, you are on a month to month....I am positive every state has a just give notice to not renew. Most month to months have a notice period and you are done.