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Updated over 4 years ago on . Most recent reply
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Should we sign a "Master" Tenant? as Residential or Commercial?
I have a 3 bedroom unit in small residential-multifamily that is for rent, and I've been approached by an "entrepreneur" who is willing to sign a long-term, 3 - 5 year MASTER LEASE, at a slightly reduced rate, if I allow him to furnish the rooms and and sublet each room out in 6 month increments for a decent markup that he will keep. He basically earns the "spread" each month. They term it "co-living."
The advantage to me is that for the next 3-5 years, I wont have to worry about renting the unit, any vacancy losses, and also - best of all - he will completely manage the sub-tenants and any of their needs.... Shower-door loose? He handles it. Oven breaks? Him. Freezer too warm? his problem. Even if he can't rent all the rooms, or for as high a price as he thought, we still get paid in full anyway...
Question 1: Thoughts? Should we do this, or is there simply too much risk having transient room-tenants who won't treat this apt as their own "home" ? Will it likely cause too much disruption to the other Apts in the building?
Question 2: If we DO decide to test this format out, should we sign the Master-Lease with him as an individual, or in his corporate name? Is there any advantage/disadvantage to each? Aren't we able to evict for non-payment (assume non-corona conditions) much more quickly & easily with a commercial tenant than with a residential? (Does it matter that the commercial tenant will still be "housing" people?)
Any other thoughts or pitfalls i didn't think about? Thanks!
Most Popular Reply
@Michael G. I would do some searching on BP for others experiences using the co-living strategy. There were several companies trying this over the past couple of years. Some are not doing well and not paying as agreed. Tread carefully.