[getbak]

If the lease clearly defines it as a fixed-term, you don't really need to jump through any hoops or make up stories to end it.

The danger of saying you have a family member moving in is that you have to take it off the market for a time, otherwise, they could easily catch you in the lie if a week after you give them a sob story about your nephew needing a place to live, the unit shows up on RentFaster.



I would be very professional and matter-of-fact in the communication. Send them a letter that summarizes whatever the lease says about it being a fixed term lease that ends on a specific date and as a courtesy, you're providing them the move-out procedures for the unit/building with ample time to prepare.

Tell them what they need to do when moving out, if they need to book the elevator or anything like that. I'd finish it by stating that you'll be on-site to perform the final walkthrough inspection at noon on the final day and to contact you if they'd like to arrange a different date or time for the walkthrough.

You could even extend a carrot by telling them you'll have their damage deposit cheque ready for them at the end of the inspection if there are no issues. I know when I was renting, it was always tough not knowing when you'd get your deposit back from your old landlord when you also had to give one to your new landlord. Most people don't have that much extra money sitting around to have 2 damage deposits tied up for a few weeks.


In the end, I just wouldn't treat it as anything out of the ordinary or make a big deal out of not extending it. They signed a six-month contract and that time is up, so here's what they need to do at the end of the contract.