Landlord Question and Answer Forum

I bought a duplex planning on living in half and renting the other out. The house came with a tenant of over 5 years. They had a verbal agreement and paid ridiculously low rent(part of the reason the property was sold). On their next due date I presented one of the tenants with a lease I constructed on this site and told him that he could take a couple days to read it over and provide feedback before signing. Since I'm new to this and they have lived here for a while I thought this was the appropriate thing to do. That was over a month ago. I've gone to their unit asking about it and was told one of them was working a lot and didn't get a chance to read it etc etc. So I waited another week and sent them a letter asking for a reply ASAP. That was two days ago and I still haven't gotten as much as an email regarding the lease. They paid their new rent amount on time, but I'm stuck without any written agreement or deposits. What do I do?

Keep bugging them, but in the end, you have a long term tenant already. Bring a copy over when you collect the rent. Wait there until they sign it.

Posted by Eric D, MN on Saturday, July 24, 2010

You should set up a meeting with your tenants and go over the new lease , I had people in the past put up a stupid sign or breake the lease and then they said they were never told. . Everybody needs a chance, but whay I see here is 1 they ae not responsible tenants and they do not respect your wishes.

Posted by Donald G, MA on Sunday, July 25, 2010

I've gone to the unit and asked about it, but there was only one there. Then this past week I left a letter in their mail box asking them to get back to me ASAP...so far nothing. I'm currently reading a book on landlording and it suggests giving them a 'change in terms' document. Apparently that will allow me to change the terms of their 'verbal agreement' from the past owner without their signature, but I can't find the NYS law on that anywhere. The lease bugs me because I know it protects both parties, but not having any sort of security deposit is the big problem. They could tear the place up and disappear tonight and I would have a hard time getting any compensation. If the law permits it I'm thinking I'll give them a change in terms and set a date for the security deposit. If they don't put down the deposit I'll have to ask them to leave....Not sure I have any other options.

Posted by Justin K, NY on Sunday, July 25, 2010

Still no response from the tenants, I've spoken to an attorney friend who asked to see the lease. She seems to think the through lease I got from ezlandlordforms.com may have intimidated them and that's why they are being evasive. I'm reviewing the document, but plan on telling them I'm not going to renew their verbal agreement anymore and that they need to either sign a lease or find a new place.

Posted by Justin K, NY on Tuesday, August 3, 2010