Virginia Duplex Hoarder Tenant

[Patrick Slagle]

Hey all! I recently just got a duplex under contract in Virginia that I'm hoping to rehab, rent, and refinance. This will be my first property, and we will be living in one of the units.  The other unit has a tenant, which for lack of better words is kind of a hoarder and has a lease until May 31st and with a rent below market rate.

What legally am I allowed to do in this position? Since I'm the primary homeowner, can I end the lease on the 31st? Can I raise the rent? Does anyone have any recommendations, particularly with hoarders? How do I also make this a smooth and more pleasant process for the tenant? I understand hoarders generally are struggling with issues, so anything I can do to make the process a bit smoother would be preferable

Thanks for the information!!

[Patti Robertson]

Be VERY careful on this one. Hoarding is now a protected class - really.  Don’t make any of your notices be about that.  Since their lease expiration is so close, just give them notice that you don’t plan to renew. You don’t want a fair housing case on your hands. If their lease were longer you may have had to give very careful and specific notice about fire hazards, cleanliness, etc.  I would consider yourself luck on this one.