Tenant had a stroke and is hospitalized

[Kyle Domini]

I have a tenant who had a stroke.  He went in a week before rent was due. Now rent is 15 days late. Not sure when or if he will able to return. A family member finally reached out to me last week and said they would try to pay the rent for him. So far nothing. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. 

[Lynnette E.]

I would respond differently than the other poster.  Guess in the end its a personal decision on how you run your business.  I can afford to lose a month's rent or get it late, if need be.  A stroke is a horrible thing to go through.  He may be fighting for his life, or functions to be able to live a life.   Maybe you can talk to him directly and see how he is doing.  

In this case, if the tenant generally paid on time, with something like a stroke, I would give him a month to see how it is going, if it seems that he may be able to return to the unit eventually.

You can discuss with him, after he has had some time to go to rehab and see how recovery is going, if he is considering moving and if so, you can allow him to break the lease, or he can authorize someone else to  put his stuff in storage.  

Depending on his funding source, he may have the money to pay the rent himself, you can also ask him that.