Tenant breaks lease for harassment...what to do?

[Account Closed]

Hi everyone,

I am a newbie in the landlord world. I have rented my condo to a tenant 2 months ago and he is moving out September 1st. He stated that he has been harassed by 2 of the neighbors (older women, condo owners) almost in a daily basis, accusing him of making noises and suspicious activities. He claimed to be innocent of all. The tenant believes that he has been harass because he's gay.

In the other side, the condo association have been getting lots of complaints from 3 neighbors for noises and suspicious activities and threated to evict him.

Now what's next for me do to? Do I keep the security deposit? Do I keep him reliable until I find another tenant? If so how do I proceed?

Thanks

[Jon Holdman]

My advice is the same as in similar situations. You're not the police. You're not the tenants or the neighbor's counselors. Nor lawyer. Your business arrangement is with the tenant. The tenant is breaking your lease. Why is irrelevant and out of your control in any case. Take the specifics and who's right or wrong out of it. The tenant isn't getting along with the neighbors and is breaking the lease because of that. Hold him to the lease terms. If your lease has a lease breaking clause (it should, add one if it doesn't), then hold him to those terms. I continue to like month-to-month leases. Even if you have a longer lease, I would consider treating it like its month to month in this case. If he give you proper notice (30 days, typically, but whatever your lease and local law says) and leaves the place in good condition, I'd let him go with no penalties. If there's damage or any reason for deductions from the deposit, take those. If he leaves suddenly with no notice, then I wouldn't be as accommodating on any "lease breaking fee" you may have in your lease. But I'd try to part amicably, if possible.