Question for landlords/people who know about such things

[Robotic]

Have you considered buying the house from him, or doing a rent-to-own?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Have you ever viewed a property that you were considering purchasing that was tenanted? I have, and sometimes it's not pretty. Tenants who are having their place sold are often not very neat, and borderline hostile to someone looking at buying the place if they think they'll have to move. I'm not saying the OP would be like that, and it sounds like he wouldn't. The fact is however that small residential properties almost always sell for more money when they're clean and vacant than when they're tenanted.

I agree. Our house had a basement suite, and we gutted it and turned it back into normal living space.

But if the owner isn't doing any of those things that were on the list for being able to legally give the tenant 3 months notice to move out, why would they ask them to leave? I am not saying its not their right to ask, but it seems foolish not to keep milking the cash cow until you really need to do something with the property - i.e. move into it, sell it, renovate it, etc. And like I said, if they don't want to deal with being involved hands-on, let a property management company take over and still get some money.

[VladtheImpaler]

What's the difference? It's your house. If you want to stop using it to make extra income it's your right (subject to lease terms). Especially, given that a tenant can pick up in the middle of the night and disappear, and you have no practical recourse.

[Wormius]

Maybe the laws are just there to help a landlord then from not being sensible and keep renting out his property unless he has a good reason to stop.

Landlord: "I am renting out this house, and I want to evict the tenant"
Law: "Why? Do you want to sell the property?"
Landlord: "No"
Law: "Are you doing major renovation?
Landlord: "No"
Law: "Are you going to live there?"
Landlord: "No"
Law: "So you want to give up making a recurring monthly revenue for no reason?"
Landlord: "Yep, it's my right. Besides, I am bored of making money"
Law: "I am sorry, you're being stupid. I need to protect you against your bad judgement. I can't let you do it. You'll deprive me of taxes.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I agree. Our house had a basement suite, and we gutted it and turned it back into normal living space.

But if the owner isn't doing any of those things that were on the list for being able to legally give the tenant 3 months notice to move out, why would they ask them to leave? I am not saying its not their right to ask, but it seems foolish not to keep milking the cash cow until you really need to do something with the property - i.e. move into it, sell it, renovate it, etc. And like I said, if they don't want to deal with being involved hands-on, let a property management company take over and still get some money.

I don't think it's irrational. Even if he's not going to renovate it, having it vacant it will probably show better than if its got a tenant.

Of course he can't make them leave, he can ask nicely, and hope they do it. Most people probably would, to avoid the conflict.