Tenant wants to leave but paid for a years worth of rent?

[Matthew Mckibben]

So I just bought my first rental property in St. Paul, MN. One of the tenants I inherited paid for a full year of rent and her lease is up in August. She just called me and said shes breaking her lease in 30 days and wants her deposit back as well as the money for the upcoming months. What are my legal options and what would you guys/gals do if you were in my situation? Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

[Mike Cumbie]

Your lease and local laws will dictate so check both of those. 

My thoughts would be that once the tenant vacates you go through the property and assess the damages from the security deposit and return any unused portion. You also begin working hard to find a renter. They would be responsible for the rent until you can find a new renter. Make sure you are actively looking, have ads out and are doing everything you can in good faith to get the place rented. Once you have a lease in place return any unused portion to the original renter. Under no circumstances have 2 people pay for the same time in the same place. 

Just my 2 cents and good luck