Rookie Landlord-1st time tenant Turnover how to handle

[Timothy Burns]

Hello all, I am coming to the end of the lease with my first tenant in a duplex that I'm living in, and plan on not renewing the current tenant's lease for various reasons. 

What is the best way to give notice and what is a reasonable amount of time? 

[Matthew Swanson]

Hi Tim, 

60-90 days is typically when we reach out to our tenants regarding renewal options.   Make sure to review your current lease or local laws as they may list a different renewal notice period. 

How you deliver the message would depend on your current relationship, I'd recommend just delivering a letter to them or their mailbox.  Here's a rough template that you could use/tweak as you see fit! 

Dear [TENANT/LANDLORD],

I’m writing to inform you that your current lease for the property located at [ADDRESS] will not be renewed for another lease term. This note should serve as my (length appropriate) notice of non-renewal. Your lease will expire on [LEASE EXPIRATION DATE], which means the property should be fully vacated by that day.

As stated in the lease agreement, the property should be returned in the same condition upon move-in (with the exception of normal wear and tear). Please provide a forwarding address prior to moving out, return all keys and key fobs, cancel your internet services, and your electricity service by the lease expiration date.

If you would like to schedule a rental property walk-through inspection to access property damage and potential cleaning charges, please let me know a time and date that works best for you.

Thank you for choosing our rental property as your home. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

[YOUR NAME]

[Christen G.]

You need to consult your local laws to see what the legal amount of time is and decide for yourself if that's "reasonable." Where I live it used to be 30 days - and I didn't think that was enough time for folks living month to month to pull funds together to save up, look for a place, get a deposit and 1st mo's together etc... so I always gave at least 60. Again - you need to consult (and know) your local laws very well if you want to be a successful, scrupulous property owner.

[Timothy Burns]

How does this sound:      ??

Hello and good day Tenant,

We are writing to remind you that your current lease for the property located at _______________ is set to expire on December 31st, 20XX.

This letter will serve as proper XX-day notice that we will not be renewing your lease for another term at that time.

In accordance with the lease agreement, the property shall be fully vacated, cleaned, and returned in the same show quality condition upon move-in. All keys shall be turned over to Landlord, your lease states 3 keys were given. Please provide a forwarding address prior to moving out, and be sure to cancel/transfer any utilities out of your name by the move out date.

If you would like to schedule a walk-through inspection of the property after move out to assess property condition and any potential damages and cleaning charges, please let us know.

Thank you for your time.

Have a good day.

[Account Closed]

Timothy, I hope everything went well for you in this process! I am in a similar situation where I am a first time landlord living in a duplex where tennats will not be staying (eviction, after only 3 months of owning the property). After having gone throught the process, I'm curious if you have any feedback, tips or suggestions on the turn over portion.