All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

I suggest you contact your local renter's rights non-profit and pro-bono lawyers to help you because every state is different. Also, look at your lease agreement.

As for me as an owner in MN, the law states that all rent is owed to the owner until the lease ends unless the owner finds a new renter to cover that month. In my interpretation- that means the old renter pays the entire month even if she/he left mid month since the lease is a month-to-month basis not a day-to-day basis- regardless if a new renter moved in halfway.

I have a renter whose 1 yr lease is up in Nov. This is her 1st year renting from us.

She has paid rent late 1 (and we had to email her 2 times and threaten eviction), had her sister stay in the unit w/o being on the lease (a lease violation and we confronted her and now sister is applying) and had at least 5 times noise complaints from other renters.

Should I renew this renter's lease? I'm debating because:

1. if we don't, it will take longer to find a new renter for winter months 

2. new renter is not a guarantee they will be better.

Are we making it bigger deal than it needs to be? Are high-maintenance renters the norm rather than the exception? 

What do you think?

Btw, we've had this property for 4 years now and most of the renters have been low-key until now.

Thank you.

Thank you, everyone for the feedback, advice and honesty. Big lesson learned for sure and I hope newer landlords learn from ours so they don;t make this mistake. Lots to decide. Hope to update yall soon. Blessings to everyone. 

We had a renter who had to end her lease 1 month early. We thought that since she had always paid rent on time, that we trusted her and allowed her use her security deposit as last month's rent. 

I know- STUPID move on our part. 

However, when she moved out, she signed our agreement stating that she agreed to be financially responsible for any damages beyond normal wear-n-tear.

We inspected the unit and noticed damages of over $1,000.00. She also acknowledged that she didnt clean the apartment as required.

She moved out in Nov 2016 and we sent the bill in Mar 2017 (due to having to deal with personal health issues and etc). She is now refusing to pay.

Do we have a right to sue her in small claims court since she did sign that agreement?? Would our argument be valid even if we sent the bill in March?

Btw, we live in MN and have read the renters rights there but they still don't answer this.

I just emailed a lawyer too, so hope to hear from that person soon.

Thanks, everyone!

I would but only if they pay more sec. deposit, pass employment screening and have reliable work history. I would also recommend having another adult with a higher credit score sign the lease and agree to be responsible for rent. 

You're being waayy too nice- and this is coming from me- someone who used to work in direct social service. Do not renew his rent simply based on the fact that your building is now NON-smoking. Give him a 60 day written notice with a guide to other housing options that meets his needs.

I would look at their income-debt ratio and work references. If needed, get another adult to be on the lease with them as a guarantee of rent payment. But do not NOT rent to them just because they have no rental history. We ALL had to start somewhere somehow. 

I would do a higher security deposit amount and justify it due to the debt to income ratio. 

to fellow forum repliers: I'd have to be careful to not be biased against pregnant renters or those with kids- remember- this IS discrimination.