Am I being a jerky landlord? long and venty

[LoveTrains]

Is there any possibility that they will cause malicious damage to the unit? Because in that case I might be willing to let them move out early if your friend can possibly move in earlier to your unit downstairs....

[LoveTrains]

May 30, 2013 9:53:10 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

May 30, 2013 9:36:15 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Is there any possibility that they will cause malicious damage to the unit? Because in that case I might be willing to let them move out early if your friend can possibly move in earlier to your unit downstairs....

He can't, we checked (you know Boston, 99% of ppl are on 9/1 leases). I don't think they'd cause malicious damage, especially since we're holding a large security deposit.

Yeah, that is so strange that they want the other apartment for July 1. The timing is off. 

[liveintheville]

I can't believe they even asked! AND that they're bitching about getting out a month early?! Jesus. I never had a landlord as nice as you, that's for sure. $2500 is a ton of money you're willing to give up for them. Ungrateful brats.

[pinkroses]

May 30, 2013 7:49:02 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I've mentioned here before that H and I are moving upstairs to the larger apt in our 2-family that we currently rent out. Tenants have been there since September 2009, and their current lease runs through 8/31. We usually re-up their lease around June 1st for the following year, but I let them know a few weeks ago that H and I would be taking over the apartment so unfortunately we couldn't renew for another year once their lease runs out. They were bummed, but understood. A friend of ours is taking over our apartment 9/1.

Last night I get an email saying that they found a new apartment that starts July 1st and considering the circumstances they hope we'll be able to work with them to break the least early (June 30 vs. Aug 31) so they can take the new apartment. Um, seriously? I feel like they're implying that we're pulling the rug out from under them or something, when really their lease is ending and I gave them 3.5 months notice that we wouldn't be able to renew (maybe that was a mistake in hindsight?).

Considering what circumstances?  Nothing you are asking of them sounds out of the ordinary to me.  Does your lease say anything about penalties breaking it early?

[noodleoo]

I don't think it was unreasonable for them to ask, but yes, it is nuts of them to be upset that you didn't agree. And it is very nice of you to let them out 1 month early. That's more than generous!

Try not to take the bitching personally. H and I bitch to each other about things, just to get it out of our system. Did they know you were out there? If they had no way to see you, then you can't really be mad about what they say when they think they are alone. If they could easily see you taking out the trash, then yeah, that's pretty rude.

[donthasslethehoff]

You're splitting the difference with them. That's more than enough. They should be glad/gracious that you're willing to do that. A lease is a lease, and they should realize what you're doing is helping them. They should quit their bitchin'

[5kcandlesinthewind]

I think they were fine to ask, and it's fine that they're disappointed - paying double rent sucks. But I think you're being extremely generous to split the difference, and they'll get over it.

And I hate the stupid 9/1 lease cycle. Hate it! This is the first apartment I've had since I moved to Boston 10 years ago that was on that cycle, (I was always on a 30-day notice lease, or month-to-month after a year), and it sucks.

[rikki]

Umm.... there are like a million and one places that they could rent that start when their current lease is over. Just because they found a place now doesn't mean that they have to take it. They should keep looking and start a new lease when their lease with you is over. Morons.

[cwbykitty]

We have always been renters, but hopefully will be homeowners soon.
You were more than generous in giving them a few months notice on the change. Their lease (a legal contract) ends the end of August, so as a tenant, I would have looked for a place for September, or maybe August (to give us some extra time to move), but would expect to pay my rent through 08/31, unless my current landlord found someone to come in sooner. It seems like they got a anxious/impatient and starting looking for places too soon.

It's hard as a tenant to balance out the finding of a new place and moving and such, but you are being generous in offering to "split" the difference, especially since it a lot of $$. At the same time, I understand your tenants "bitching", they are probably just dealing with the thought of change, but they should get over it, and realize that you are being very nice about the whole thing.

I hope the summer goes smoothly for you!