Schooled by a Tenant, BUT I learned something new!

[Cassidy Burns]

Hi BP,

I am posting in regards to my current tenant situation, and how I got SCHOOLED.  

My tenants are breaking their lease early (Signed through Feb 1, moving out December 18th.).  I had sent an email saying that they would be responsible for the entire month of December's rent and I would be keeping the security deposit (I learned from BP that I should NEVER tell them this again.)  I thought all was understood as I did not hear back.  Tonight I received a call from the husband, as I had been communicating mostly wife during the duration of the lease term.  He gave his points as to why he thought their terms were fair.

1.) 10 weeks advance notice.

2.) Pay Prorated December's rent through the 18th.

3.) Forfeit the security deposit. 

I said via recommendation from several BP members, to state that by lease terms they are responsible for the duration of the lease.  He reveals he too is a real estate investor and that the agreement they signed actually wasn't even an official GCAAR lease, it was only a lease application.  Well, he was right.  I never had them fill out the official lease, I just had them fill out lease application...  Rookie mistake.  He is a great guy, we stayed on the phone discussing how I could have better protected myself, he gave me recommendations of what I should do in terms of getting it re-rented and he is also sending me the official lease that he uses for his tenants.  

As I said, I got SCHOOLED.  I agreed to their terms, yes I did not get the full month of December, but the knowledge and advice I received was well worth the time, effort, and anxiety of having the return the phone call.

Thanks again BP as I continue to learn something new everyday.