All Forum Posts by: Lue Brooks

I recently have experienced my my first move out. The tenants left a month early. I told them that they are still responsible for the last months rent but I would find a new tenant to replace their time to help them save on moving out early. Well they ended up leaving and taking the keys with them. I got in and have inspected it and I saw a bed bug spray in there in the lease it said they are responsible for bed bugs. I called to get them to give me their return address but they ignored my calls but I found their current mailing address on google. Am I able to mail them a bill for the remaining rent plus a bed bug inspection? Also the security deposit can’t be used toward rent.

Yeah I would also like to hear more about your plan and exit strategy for whatever you are going to do. Also how long have you been in real estate? Look into local wholesalers who can find you great deal.

@Theresa Harris didn’t even think about the utilities thing! That is a great idea. I’ll be using that in the future as wel as for this turnover.

@Nathan G. Thank you so much! This is just what I needed to hear. Would I still be able to charge them for the rent before they leave? And if they don’t want to just take the deposit instead? They were good tenants so I don’t mind letting them leave early but at the end of the day it still is a business and would like the money. I was thinking about charging them half now. Then half the middle of the month of October and if they choose not to pay me back for some reason then at least I’ll have the security deposit. The security deposit is only half of the rent so if I get half now and they decide to bail at least I’ll have something.

@Nicole Heasley I used the template from the book Brandon turner wrote about managing properties. It’s a pretty thorough lease.

I have just read that they would still have to pay the lease even though they left early, but it is my responsibility to try and find a tenant to replace them as soon as possible. The only problem is that the property was to be remodeled after they left. Suggestions?

So I've completed my first year of being a landlord. It had its ups and downs but I have loved it. I will post about it another time if anybody is interested. I have one problem though. My tenants want to leave 1 month early. They gave me their security deposits and the lease says "it is to be refunded upon vacating, returning the keys to the landlord and termination of this contract according to other terms herein agreed." I've looked up and down this lease 3 times and have not seen anything about leaving early. (I know I have no excuse to why I didn't have that taken care of, but It was my very first month of being a landlord, and a lesson for me to learn from.) I want to know what you all think? Will I have to give the money back or is it automatically assumed that if you leave early the money is to be kept from the landlord? They had 2 kids and a dog as well. The kids more than likely messed something up so some of the deposit will have to be kept. I am also in the state of Texas. 

Hi everyone. I live in a duplex and rent the other house to tenants. I recently have let them adopt a dog who they keep outside constantly which is against the lease. Normally I’d be fine with that but he’s barking nonstop which is also against the lease. Tomorrow I’m going to be doing something about it. I just wanted to know is it better to call them and let them know and give them a warning or should I leave a letter on their door giving them their warning?

To whoever replies thank you very much in advance!

@Greg Scully so it’s ok to change a current lease to add something on it as long as they resign it?