All Forum Posts by: Brett Barry

Update! 

I provided the tenant with her security deposit a few weeks early so that she could put a deposit on a new apartment. I had a 2-day lease extension drafted by my attorney, allowing the tenant the ability to move out on a Sunday for easier move convenience. Instead of on the previously scheduled Thursday. All in all the tenant moved out on time and eviction process wasn't required. So mission accomplished. Lessons learned: 

Try not to inherit tenants and make sure every single aspect of tenant/landlord dealings are documented on paper. 

House is up and running, and my first house hack is underway. 

Yes, I've learned that they'll do anything as long as they can charge you for it. However, this situation is all set. The tenant has another lease lined up. She signed paperwork stating that she'll be out on the 3rd of September. 

Update: The tenant has decided to leave peacefully. She requested a 3-day extension so that she could move on a sunday, and an advance on her security deposit(pending a walkthrough). But she has signed the paperwork and plans on leaving! Lesson learned. Thanks for all the advice.

Yes, the verbal notice is entirely my fault. It was my first time dealing with attorneys or buying a house, I took their word for it without documented proof... Last time I ever do that. 

My plan is to draft up a document citing the paragraphs from the lease that state, "if no renewal is offered, tenant is expected to vacate at conclusion of lease." I'll state that if she attempts to stay in the house after that date, I'll be forced to move forward with the eviction process. Seeing as the tenant refuses to communicate with me in a civil manner, I'll have to pay the sheriff's department to deliver it. I'll keep this thread updated as this debacle goes on. Thanks for the tips! 

Hi, 

I'm a first time home owner who recently purchased a two family home in Northampton, Massachusetts. I knowingly inherited 1 tenant who's lease was due to end August, 31, 2017. My closing attorney notified me that tenant had been verbally notified that the lease was not being renewed and they were to vacate there premises on August, 31. 

Fast forward a few weeks after closing. I verbally confirmed again with the tenant that she was leaving at the end of the month, she agreed. Next thing I know, the tenant mailed me a letter stating that she is entitled to an automatic renewal of a 1-year lease because the previous owner had not given her 60-day notice of renewal or nonrenewal. I tried to discuss this politely with the tenant and she stated that she refuses to talk to me without a lawyer present. 

Although the lease does state that 60-day notice is required for renewal or nonrenewal. It also states that if no renewal is ever offered (which in this case it wasn't) the tenant is expected to leave upon the final day of the lease: August 31, 2017. 

My tenant is now hiding out in her apartment and refusing for talk to me. I have discussed this situation with two different attorneys and was given two different courses of action. I'm not sure what to do or where to go from here. I did not screen this tenant and I do not want this person in my home. She is legally there until August, 31 but after that I'm not sure how to move towards removing her from my home legally and effectively. Any advice is appreciated. Again, I'm in Western Massachusetts. Northampton, Massachusetts. Pioneer valley. 

Thank you!

Hi @Mike DeChristopher, 

I'm a Western Mass based investor currently closing on my first deal of a two-family in downtown Northampton, Mass. Welcome to the forums! 

Brett

Thanks Bob, I'll definitely get in contact with those banks this week.

Hi,

Are there any investors in the Western Massachusetts area who have experience securing conventional loans from local banks? I'm just attempting to get an idea of which banks offer the best interest rates and are most investor friendly when it comes to refinancing as well. Any advice will help!

Hi,

Are there any investors in the Western Massachusetts area who have experience securing conventional loans from local banks? I'm just attempting to get an idea of which banks offer the best interest rates and are most investor friendly when it comes to refinancing as well. Any advice will help!

Thanks for your responses, we have a lot of decisions to make and every bit of advice helps.