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So I am leasing a unit and the neighbor next door came by to take a look at it. She was freaking because she just found out that the tenant before her died. She wants to move out of that place and says she has every right to break the lease due to not being notified of the death.
Here's the thing though - the last tenant did not die IN the unit - died in the hospital.
I don't think the landlord HAD to let her know this before moving in - did he?
So I am leasing a unit and the neighbor next door came by to take a look at it. She was freaking because she just found out that the tenant before her died. She wants to move out of that place and says she has every right to break the lease due to not being notified of the death.
Here's the thing though - the last tenant did not die IN the unit - died in the hospital.
I don't think the landlord HAD to let her know this before moving in - did he?
Just curious.
Very doubtful, and it would appear she's not a good candidate as a tenant either.
She was freaking because she just found out that the tenant before her died. She wants to move out of that place and says she has every right to break the lease due to not being notified of the death.
I think that's a pretty ridiculous assumption.
If your neighbor wants to break the lease, there are other, saner ways to do it.
What happened to the previous tennant though ? Did somebody break in and torture them and she bled out for hours before the ambulance came and she died in hospital ?
If the previous tennant was just sick and died in hospital she has no claim to leave IMHO.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I don't know of any city or state with a disclosure law for prospective tenants. As long as the landlord meets the terms of the lease there is no justification for breaking it.
Whatever you told her ...she'll be sure to blab that to the neighborhood also.
Usually when a neighbor wants to see a place (buying or selling)...they usually have some story they use to get in the door. Most often the story is "my cousing is moving and I am looking at places for him.".
I am sure she was just acting like she had interest in your place....just to get in the door.
Regardless, bypass her without hurting her feelings. You don't want her to be upset with you or feel slighted by you.
Good Grief, No. People die in hospitals everyday unfortunately. I've even heard that people peruse the obits to know what houses, apartments may be available. Why this person would even think that this grounds for breaking a lease is beyond me.
Well I'm not going to accept her as a tenant cuz she's crazy - heard other stories about her. AND I think she was just being nosy.
Went into the hospital, never came out (the tenant that died, that is).
You guys as landlords - do you think he should have told her?
How did your OP go from "neighbor" to "Well, I'm not going to accept her as a tenant"?
Is she trying to get you to let her share your apartment?? I'd not only not et her move in, I wouldn't et her visit me again either. Talk about drama. Hope you get through this w/out a bunch of hassle.
Why would you accept her as a tenant when you said she was a neighbor? Different issue.
In any case, the only thing to disclose is on a seller's statement of property condition. The question there is asking if anyone died an "un-natural" death. Dying in a hospital is no one's business, especially in a rental. Previous tenant's history and reason for vacating are no one's business. Common sense.
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