Real Estate Question

HarryCaray · May 1, 2017

I rent the condo I currently live in. Been here over 3 years, on a month to month since the first one-year lease was up. Agreement was always I would give at least 30 days notice before I leave.

I'm moving May 30th. Gave notice in early April that I would vacate on/before May 31.

Landlords immediately put the place on the market. There have been maybe a half dozen showings, they're coming almost every day now.

They got an offer, but are continuing to show it. So now there is also a home inspection and appraisal that will cause disruption.

These showings are a pain in my ass. Not only do I have to keep the place show-ready (I always keep it clean anyway), but I work from home...so in the middle of my work day I have to go out on the back patio while people go through my place for a half hour at a time. It's just annoying and an invasion of privacy.

My question is, is it normal for me to pay full rent for this month? I'm essentially their live-in real estate agent. It has literally become less desirable to live here. Just curious if it should be reflected in my rent.

I do have a good relationship with these people.

niltes · May 1, 2017

depending upon the state, there may be laws protecting you.
you should be notified in advance before there are any invasions
or visits to your property. you should or do have the right to say
no. usually the way this happens is that the landlord wants your
cooperation and realizes your right to "quiet enjoyment" is compromised.
in addition you can slow the process down by denying access.
your tenant rights usually supercede the landlords rights. to
get your cooperation, it is typical for landlords to reduce the rent
by 25-50% during this time period, but usually only if you ask.
you must be the shy, quiet type harry.

ERockMoney · May 1, 2017

I'm pretty sure you're SOL. Their typically is a provision in your lease agreement outlining the terms of this type of activity. In addition, there are various statutory components in certain states around the amount of notice that needs to be provided and in a few states I believe the property can't be shown more than "X" days before your lease terminates.

HarryCaray · May 1, 2017

niltes said:
depending upon the state, there may be laws protecting you.
you should be notified in advance before there are any invasions
or visits to your property. you should or do have the right to say
no. usually the way this happens is that the landlord wants your
cooperation and realizes your right to "quiet enjoyment" is compromised.
in addition you can slow the process down by denying access.
your tenant rights usually supercede the landlords rights. to
get your cooperation, it is typical for landlords to reduce the rent
by 25-50% during this time period, but usually only if you ask.
you must be the shy, quiet type harry.

Haha, far from it. Just don't want to be a dick by even asking, but I do think it would be fair.

seldomseen · May 1, 2017

Most leases have provisions where the landlord is allowed to show the property upon notice to vacate. In which by denying entree you would be out of compliance. Depending on the state there may be a required notice to enter.

HarryCaray · May 1, 2017

I am not trying to stand in their way or slow things down. I just think I should get a lil something, ya know, for the effort.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O85c_4z3rjE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

festeringZit · May 1, 2017

Can't hurt to ask, right?

Enfuego · May 1, 2017

Kind of a tough deal Harry. You need to live there for a month yet they need to get it rented. Always a tough situation.

festeringZit · May 1, 2017

Enfuego said:
Kind of a tough deal Harry. You need to live there for a month yet they need to get it rented. Always a tough situation.

I used to lease out a house, and I would have no problem cutting 20-30% off someone's final month rent if they had to deal with that traffic and inconvenience. Especially if they were good tenants, and didn't trash the place - like most of my tenants did.

CoachCB · May 1, 2017

I own a rental condo and I've had to do this w/ previous tenants. I try not to be too intrusive, and it's always rented pretty quickly.

I'd say you should say something if it really puts you out. You have that right - if you're in the middle of something that's YOUR place until the lease ends. But, otherwise I'd just take it in stride. There's more things in life to get worked up about. "Don't sweat the small stuff....it's all small stuff".

drpugilist · May 1, 2017

what would you do if you were in their shoes? do you expect them to wait until you move out before they start showing the place to the next potential tenant? thats not how investment property owners think.

if you gave them notice in april that you would be out may 30, contractually they are living up to their end of the bargain and showings of the condo are to be expected. nothing you can do, i wouldnt think anyway.

mountain · May 1, 2017

Like someone said earlier, laws vary from state to state but it sounds like this was all spelled out in the original lease.

From a straight business standpoint, you are probably stuck. It doesn't mean they can't do something for you to make up for the inconvenience but I wouldn't count on it.

Sounds like you have built up a good relationship with the landlord over the past three years. It may be best to grin and bear it and like everything else, this will be old news before you know it. Best of luck

Enfuego · May 1, 2017

festeringZit said:
I used to lease out a house, and I would have no problem cutting 20-30% off someone's final month rent if they had to deal with that traffic and inconvenience. Especially if they were good tenants, and didn't trash the place - like most of my tenants did.

I think that's more than fair.

drpugilist · May 1, 2017

Enfuego said:
I think that's more than fair.

sure if you are the renter or you arent the one losing out on an investment

Enfuego · May 1, 2017

drpugilist said:
sure if you are the renter or you arent the one losing out on an investment

It's a win win.

You give your tenant 25% off for the inconvenience and they are happy and will keep the place clean for showings and be amenable to allowing visitors.

HarryCaray · May 1, 2017

drpugilist said:
sure if you are the renter or you arent the one losing out on an investment

I've lived here for 40 months, never paid rent late once, and am literally returning the place in better condition than it was the day I moved in.

I don't think a discount on one month's rent for having to deal with this circus is unreasonable.

We're talking about a few hundred bucks.

I probably won't ask, but if I were them I would offer it.

drpugilist · May 1, 2017

Enfuego said:
It's a win win.

You give your tenant 25% off for the inconvenience and they are happy and will keep the place clean for showings and be amenable to allowing visitors.

i get that thought. and it is only for a month that they would lose 200 on a 1k month agreement. however by asking for that discount as a renter, may want to keep in mid the deposit if any. im sure the owner of the property will not lose money in the long run.

HarryCaray · May 1, 2017

drpugilist said:
what would you do if you were in their shoes? do you expect them to wait until you move out before they start showing the place to the next potential tenant? thats not how investment property owners think.

They're not your typical investment property owners. She used to live here and moved out when they got married. I don't think she ever intended to rent it out for this long.

Not that it really matters, but it's not like they've got all these properties and are worried about vacancy rate. I am the first and last renter here, and this is their only property.

drpugilist · May 1, 2017

HarryCaray said:
They're not your typical investment property owners. She used to live here and moved out when they got married. I don't think she ever intended to rent it out for this long.

Not that it really matters, but it's not like they've got all these properties and are worried about vacancy rate. I am the first and last renter here, and this is their only property.

i see

halekulani · May 1, 2017

HarryCaray said:
I've lived here for 40 months, never paid rent late once, and am literally returning the place in better condition than it was the day I moved in.

I don't think a discount on one month's rent for having to deal with this circus is unreasonable.

We're talking about a few hundred bucks.

I probably won't ask, but if I were them I would offer it.

or you could be a grown up and just ask. i mean, if they are showing daily and it is annoying to you, you should bring it up.