The bittersweet call every landlord doesn’t want to get from their best tenant … “We decided to buy a home and won’t be renewing our lease.”
I remember renting to these tenants a year ago, thinking, “Wow these will be great tenants – they’ll be homeowners at some point for sure!” They are the ones that stand out in the crowd of tenant applicants!
I don’t like being right about stuff like this – and I hate to see them go – but I must! And as great as they were signing a lease and moving in as great as they are ending it:
- Being oh so polite and apologizing for not renewing – they actually felt bad that I would have to start the search process all over!
- Apologized that they already had a friend who is a Realtor otherwise would have used me.
- Gave three months’ notice, even though they will be moving out in tow months, and they will pay for the final month in advance.
- Will have the house ready for advertising in a couple weeks – and showings can be done at any time.
- Gave assurances that the home would be left “move in” ready.
- Gave a forward address in case any problems came up after they moved out.
It’s bittersweet – I am happy for them – but I have to let go! When you come across a tenant this is so great - and remain great throughout the least - expect that at some point they will move on! And now, I can't wait to pick out a housewarming gift for them.
Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.KGCPropertiesLLC.com!
This blog is written with my opinions and my opinions are 
presented wit
h accuracy but not guarantees. Please talk to a professional before making any real estate, financial or agency decisions. Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind - 2011. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission: TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com.
What a mixture of emotions... you are happy for them, because they are becoming homeowners. You are sad, because you are losing a great tenant.
Best wishes on finding a new Tenant!
Hi Gabrielle. It is so refreshing to hear that you had such a good experience with these wonderful people (and very nice of you to recognize them). Sounds like you found some great friends.
They are few and far between. Too bad that you did not get their business on the buying side!
I'm getting fewer of these calls and 2 last year tried to buy and couldn't get the house to close so they renewed their lease.
Hi Gab....I can't imagine you would have anything but good tenants......you do a thorough job of screening and I'm sure you're a good judge of character....
I don't know what it's like losing a good tenant, but I'm sure it is similar to losing a good employee. the employee is doing all the right things, skilled, and a desire to be self employeed. You want them to succeed, but the loss can hurt.
Thanks for the post Gabrielle.
Shame to loose one's like this. Only if there were a lot more of these folks, it would be a much easier job.
What were they thinking getting another agent? I think it was because they didn't want you to know until they had found a home in hopes you would not talk they out of leaving. I don't think you are that type of person but you can never figure out the mindset of the client.
Always screen the potential tenants, to avoid problems.
Have a nice weekend.