Tenant extending their already extended move out date?

Question

I have a tenant in one of my units that recently bought a house in December. They closed the 21st I believe. The original agreement I had with him was that he would be out January 14th. He asked to extend to January 31st due to wanting to take his time in the move. I didn't have a problem at the time.

The issue is this. This is one of two units (the other is vacant and having work done) that has some pretty bad water damage caused by the water heater leaking for who knows how many years with the previous owner. A large chunk of subflooring and a couple floor joists need to be replaced before I can go in and redo the units. I had the contractor scheduled originally to start on the 16th (right after the first agreed move out date). I then rescheduled it to the 3rd due to him extending his move out date

He has now asked to extend again to February 9th.

What would you all do in this situation? I can understand extending once but I need to get this work done so I can go in and rehab the unit.

Thanks!

John Teachout · Answer

Just say no and tell them why. It's ok to accommodate a request sometimes but if it's going to cause you problems that's different.

Account Closed · Answer

Just say no.

Anytime two persons sit down at a negotiating table, each side knows that what they want can be met by the other side with the answer "no."

If you don't exert your "no" power, you become powerless.

If you have the legal power to say no, then realize that you have power in the situation. So, realize that if someone is asking you to say yes to something, you not only have the power to say no, but you may also have the power to ask for something more.

So, if you say yes to this person, what are they willing to give you in addition to what they are required to give you to get what they want?

Wesley W. · Answer

Good advice above.  I would charge them rent for the entire month of February if they were not out.

In the future, consider a lease clause like this:

TENANT HOLDOVER:  If you or any occupants that were allowed access by you remain in possession of the Premises after the termination of this lease, you agree to pay a holdover fee at the daily rental rate (current monthly rent divided by 30) plus $10 for each day the rental unit is not legally surrendered.  You also agree to pay any reasonable costs incurred by us to collect this fee.

Max T. · Answer

He already closed on the new house?

So there is no reason why he can't be out of yours?

Come on.

Jared Lasko · Answer

I had a sneaking suspicion that this would be the general consensus!

I guess I have just been nice to him because he has been a great tenant. But those few days could mean the difference between getting it filled again a month earlier than not!

Thanks all!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

There's nothing wrong with saying "No" to his request. Be honest. You need to get work done and have already extended him once. It's time for him to take ownership of his issue and let you move on with yours.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Tell him no.  He closed on the place and is probably doing renos there.  Explain that you have to do repairs to the unit and have already scheduled the work and moved it once to accommodate him.  You have another unit sitting empty and are losing money on that waiting for the repairs to be done.

Michael Noto · Answer

Just tell him exactly what you outlined in this post. You had work planned that you delayed to help him out, but that you cannot delay it again and because of that you have to deny his request. Then just see what he says/does. He is probably just seeing how long he can string this out to make things work 100% for him.

Lynnette E. · Answer

Ask him if he will be living in the unit or just storing things there as they move out and living in their new house.  Tell him about the maintenance you need to have done and ask if its possible for him to vacate the rooms as you need to work on the floor joists.  If he can not cooperate, then tell you he needs to vacate so you can get the work done, or you will be doing the work and moving his stuff as needed, give him formal notice of when the work will start.

Tenant extending their already extended move out date?

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