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My landlord reached out to me via email regarding their need to sell the home I currently rent, as they are attempting to buy a home out of state for their child. They are selling via OpenDoor, which requires the house to be vacant prior to selling it.
They offered to assist with moving expenses in the amount of $500, but when I moved in 3 years ago, my moving-related costs were much higher than $500 and it wasn't a move that occurred on such short notice. She also promised to give me a great reference. The major issue is that she's asking if I could vacate within 3 weeks and pay prorated rent for the month of August, but she'll offer $500 to assist with moving expenses. $500 doesn't really cover a lot, and I am also tasked with finding a suitable home in a few weeks. She also stated they would rush the return of my security deposit, as long as there is no major damage (there isn't) and no missing appliances (there isn't).
The lease provides 60-day notice in the event the landlord decides to sell the home or, for whatever reason, needs the tenant to vacate, but I am not looking for 60 days or any additional time outside of what she is providing (20 days). I just want to ensure I am not being foolish for accepting $500 and just moving out as soon as possible. Again, we have had a great relationship, so I would not want to make this any more difficult than it needs to be for my landlord, as I am sure she isn't looking to do to me. However, I also do not want to make a stupid split decision and didn't know if there is a typical or common incentive given to tenants when a landlord wants the tenant to move out on very short notice, a good 40 days shorter notice than what the lease provides. Or, does the offer, as it stands, sound like it's advantageous to us both?
Thank you for any insight you can provide! I appreciate your time!
Edited to add I am in NC, and my lease automatically renewed as a month-to-month, but with a clause that indicates 60-day notice must be given by tenant and landlord on the 1st of the month, which would be August 1st, not today (July 23rd). If that makes sense. Thanks!
Last edited by duhmanda; 07-23-2019 at 05:42 PM..
Reason: details & location
I am not a lawyer or any kind of real estate professional, but it seems to me that you have the say in this as the lease says 60 days, not 20 days. What I would do is to figure out what your moving expenses actually will be and ask for that amount, plus an additional ten days to move (meaning 30 days), but that you would move out before then if you can find a suitable place. I think that would be a good compromise, although your landlord might make a counter offer -- but it never hurts to ASK, as long as you do it nicely.
Fact of life: Your landlord doesn't give a crap about you and wants you out as cheaply and as quickly as possible.
Ask for as much time and money as you need. You already know that your landlord is desperate. Get the agreement in writing. And make sure you get your deposit and the moving money when you hand over the keys and leave the house. Don't rely on promises.
The issue isn't about whether you want to move or not. They can make you move. The issue is how soon.
The $500 to move out in 20 days might not cover *all* your moving expenses but if you hold out for 60 days it won't cover *any* of it because there will be no $500. Will moving in 20 days cost you $500 more than moving in 60 days? If so, then hold out. If not, then move out.
You might want to counter-offer but as Howie says, it has to be reasonable. Maybe $650. Something close enough that they will hesitate to mess up their plans for just a little bit more. You can shoot for the moon as some here suggest but if you ask for too much the answer will be No Deal.
Thanks for the responses! I honestly do not know, because I am trying to take into account my landlord's needs. I do not want to be a thorn in her side and say "No, I am taking the full 60 days to find a place, and I will vacate no later than October 1st, per our lease." I'd rather come to a compromise, which is why I asked advice on if there are any better compromises than what was offered, because I know if roles were reversed, she likely wouldn't be as accepting of an offer of $500 in return for breaking the lease.
On the other hand, it is apparent this means a lot to her, and I believe I would be able to find something in a matter of 3-4 weeks, but it does make me nervous to agree to this with only the belief I could find something, and then not find anything that will work and have to use the $500 for a week's long AirBNB or hotel stay, while also having shelled out for 2-3 weeks of prorated rent for August. Does that make sense? I want to make sure I keep in mind my landlord, while not forgoing on the fact that this is a big ask and I need to keep in mind how expensive moves are in general, but especially moves on such short notice.
I live in NC, and my lease automatically renewed on a month-to-month tenancy, but with a clause that states both landlord and tenant must give 60 days notice to vacate on the 1st of the month. Thus, the 60 days would start on August 1st rather than July 23rd.
Thanks for the responses! I honestly do not know, because I am trying to take into account my landlord's needs. I do not want to be a thorn in her side and say "No, I am taking the full 60 days to find a place, and I will vacate no later than October 1st, per our lease." I'd rather come to a compromise, which is why I asked advice on if there are any better compromises than what was offered, because I know if roles were reversed, she likely wouldn't be as accepting of an offer of $500 in return for breaking the lease.
On the other hand, it is apparent this means a lot to her, and I believe I would be able to find something in a matter of 3-4 weeks, but it does make me nervous to agree to this with only the belief I could find something, and then not find anything that will work and have to use the $500 for a week's long AirBNB or hotel stay, while also having shelled out for 2-3 weeks of prorated rent for August. Does that make sense? I want to make sure I keep in mind my landlord, while not forgoing on the fact that this is a big ask and I need to keep in mind how expensive moves are in general, but especially moves on such short notice.
Thanks for your help!
Given the timing, I get the feeling their child is going to college and they want a home for them by start of semester, which is usually around 8/20.
You're worried about not being able to find something by August 20 but what if you take 60 days notice and don't find something by September 30? Then you're paying for a hotel stay out of your own pocket.
Thanks for the responses! I honestly do not know, because I am trying to take into account my landlord's needs. I do not want to be a thorn in her side and say "No, I am taking the full 60 days to find a place, and I will vacate no later than October 1st, per our lease." I'd rather come to a compromise, which is why I asked advice on if there are any better compromises than what was offered, because I know if roles were reversed, she likely wouldn't be as accepting of an offer of $500 in return for breaking the lease.
On the other hand, it is apparent this means a lot to her, and I believe I would be able to find something in a matter of 3-4 weeks, but it does make me nervous to agree to this with only the belief I could find something, and then not find anything that will work and have to use the $500 for a week's long AirBNB or hotel stay, while also having shelled out for 2-3 weeks of prorated rent for August. Does that make sense? I want to make sure I keep in mind my landlord, while not forgoing on the fact that this is a big ask and I need to keep in mind how expensive moves are in general, but especially moves on such short notice.
Thanks for your help!
Don't agree just yet. Tell her you will Spend a few days hustling to see if you can find a place to move into. If you can pull it off, you both win.
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