All Forum Posts by: Robert Crowley

She said "No" to your offer of reduced rent. I don't think you owe her anything after that, legally or ethically. Explain that after that, you advertised the place and have interest from people at her current rent. She can rent at the current rate and save the time, labor, and expense of moving.

Their rent is not paid by the military. The military gives them a housing allowance if they do not stay in /on base housing. It is theirs to do with as they please. It is not suspended during PCS/travel. And commands don't ask where a service member lives, rent, lease termination,... nothing really, unless there are circumstances that warrant intervention

I guess I'm failing to see what you want to happen? They've provided documentation. They are leaving the area permanently and don't need the home past May 8th. Their chain of command will back this up if needed.

Also, I see this as their timeline:

May 8-15- 1 week PCS leave (travel vacation). (Pretty standard)

15-30-   15 days of regular leave. (Varialbe, but pretty standard)

June 1-15 -  Meetings in DC

15-30 15 days of house hunting leave (standard is 7)

Not that far off from their arrival date. 

Consider that there are may be other variables here. Service members are often assigned to schools that can be any length of time from 1 week-1 year. That might not be visible to you on their orders. They often take house hunting leave, travel time, extended leave if they are moving overseas/far from home. Also, some people like to show up early and hit the ground running. 

Over seas moves also require that length of time to get household goods delivered, meaning they would have to move out early, or live in a home with no furnishings.

It seems like they have been communicating with you about their situation, so this shouldn't come as much of a shock. I would really just give them the benefit of the doubt on this one. Considering they are military, you are likely in a military town, and military folks are part of a supposedly tight knit group, being flexible with them can lead you to your next tenants through their reference. That's how I ended up with some current tenants. 

I would not have waited that long. About 15 minutes is it. Unless I got a call/text stating they would be late. Assuming they didn't, and you waited it out, I'd expect a apology/explanation/admission of guilt/....something from them. Had I not received anything like that, my body language and tone would have changed to hint to them that they do not want me as a landlord. (this would be quite natural since I'd be nearly fuming at that point) Maybe reiterate things like rent, late fees, deposits, early termination,....the things that tenants don't like to hear about.

Just an idea.

I'd certainly ask the HOA to send me a very detailed explanation before paying that. Either way, I agree with @Kyle J. The ex-tenant would certainly come after you for that. Wouldn't you???

Cory,

This is what I found:

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/illinois-termination-nonpayment-rent-other-rent-rules.html

nolo.com is pretty good about explaining the law in layman's terms and ease of use.  

Second vote for not giving a discount for work a tenant does. Discourage it. It can lead to all sorts of "little repairs" that they do for you to reduce their rent by 10-20%. Not to mention the inevitable law suit if you say "OK, go ahead and fix the ceiling fan" and they fall off the ladder.

I like this idea as well. Is there a reason you settled on twice a month payments rather than bi-weekly? Don't most people get paid bi-weekly? I've considered doing this with a tenant or two, but my market is mostly military or retired military that receive their pay on the 1st and 15th or just on the 1st for retired people.

Keep in mind that you will be raising their rent by more than 10% going from $400 to $450. Check your local/state laws to ensure that you can do this and the advanced notice you need to give. In my state, anything 10% and above requires 60 days notice.

Tell the tenant that you must approve of the appliances she wants to put in the unit before they go in. Her appliances may be mismatched in quality/age/brand/color. This may leave you with a less than desirable look if she leaves them behind