Tenant cant fit furniture wants to move

[John Korn]

I have a tenant that paid security deposit and half months rent on house they didnt see in person as they were moving across country, lease signed as well. They get here and apparently cant fit furniture upstairs and want to go somewhere else. What do I do?

I have 2 month penalty in lease...do I enforce that? Just let them go?

[Nathan Gesner]

It's difficult to hold them to the terms because you failed to set the expectations up front. 

I rent to dozens of people every year that are moving from other states. I give them a verbal and written warning before accepting any money from them:

If they show up and decide they don't like the neighborhood, their furniture doesn't fit, the rental isn't cleaned to their standard, or whatever, it's 100% on them and they will accept it or pay the penalty.

Now, I'm not a slumlord and I don't try to take advantage of anyone. We are very, very clear about our rentals. We offer a video chat and walk them through or around the property. We will often take measurements of rooms and share that with prospects so they better understand room size. And I do a pretty good job of making sure rentals are clean. 

Because I warn them so heavily up front, I rarely get a complaint. When I do get someone that just can't follow through, I have no problem charging the penalty and I can't remember the last time someone complained about that.

Transparency and honesty is key.