Need Tenant advice please.....(tragic event)

[RedHot25]

Yup, I agree. Tough conversation to have, but at the same time with the way you have presented it here - I think you could do it well. Who knows - they may be able to pay it, pay it but a bit delayed, or maybe they can pay a portion of it that you would be comfortable with. I guess you will have to try and gauge what they are comfortable with, and what you are comfortable with. Kind of sucks all around to say the least, unfortunately.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Leapfrog

Basically... I am juggling emotions of being a sympathetic guy or a business man. Losing one month's revenue for me personally would be a tough thing to swallow after being caught in layoffs recently.

Thoughts?

Imagine you able to talk to yourself as an old man giving yourself advice about what to do today...which choice would he want you to make?

[llwhiteoutll]

Follow the law as it stands. This was a business relationship and should remain as such, no need to get involved in their family business.

If you want to be “nice” about it let them know that the residence needs to be cleaned by the end of March, you will forgo your entitlements under the contract and keep the security deposit to make up for expenses/rent missed. That way they have 6 weeks or so to move everything, they aren't really out any money and you have some to cover yourself until you find a tenant.

[Leapfrog]

Another update... and closure.

The family has cleaned out the suite. I had prepared a little cheat sheet of information (including coffee shops, restaurants, etc) that also included the information on a women's shelter. I instructed the family to simply leave any unwanted items, and I will coordinate the donations.

As someone mentioned... I also made a big pot of spaghetti for the family. Turned out to be 12 people in total, with grandparents and cousins etc. When I dropped off the food, I was asked to stay, but politely declined.

The family has returned to Montana. The suite is cleaned, and ready to be rented again. This entire ordeal has been a trying time for all... but I am proud of how I handled myself, and how I treated the family. (fyi... I did not charge them rent for March)

Thanks again to everyone for all of the helpful, gracious hints.