Non-Renewal on a Lease

[Brian Chu]

I have a tenant that is a habitual non-payer/late payer who has had numerous issues with their roommates (their lease is for a room within a townhome). Their lease is finally up in August of this year. Rather than go through with the eviction process, can I simply send them a notice of non-renewal of their lease, letting them know that I am choosing not to extend their lease beyond the current period? Is there anything they can do to fight this in court? Thanks!

[Michael Robbins]

If your State now allows you to provide notice to vacate then you should be able to give them a 30 days notice (check with your lease and State laws).  I would make sure to keep the notice to vacate very simple.  Simply provide the 30 days notice and there is no need to provide an explanation.  Any explanation you do try to provide on either the notice or in conversation (email, text, etc..) could potentially be used against you.  This is my opinion and I am not an attorney.