Tenants Moved In Before The Beginning Of The Lease
I made a mistake of giving my new tenants keys for the house upon signing the lease - 2 weeks before beginning of the lease. In spite of our aggrement tenants moved in 4 days earlier. Should i be able to charge them rent for these 4 days ?
thanks
Victoria
Cough it up as a mistake and learn from it. Why go through the hassel of 4 days. You will turn them into tenants from hell giving them a hard time over 4 days.
Flip the script and put yourself in their shoes.
You don't have to be petty
Well said Neb.
My question is, why did you sign the lease and not want them to move in right away?
My guess is they work during the week and probably wanted to move on the weekend when they were off (I am going on the assumption the lease is dated for April 1 and they moved this past weekend??). Just a guess though. Trust me, it pays to be flexible (to a point) with your tenants.
And on a side note, if I have to give someone a few "free" days vs. my property sitting empty and open to possible vandalism, I have absolutely no problem with them moving in early.
Just my 2c, for what it's worth.
Tracy
Ditto to the two previous replies. What were you going to do with the house those 4 days anyway?
An experienced landlord typically knows which battles to choose. Let this one go. I am a pussy cat to my good tentants and an SOB to the others. Kinda skitzo but it works.
ItzMe
I agree with all above. 4 days isn't worth it.
Tenants originally told me that they need place only starting April 1st. This is why we put that date on a lease. I wasn't against them moving in earlier but against them doing it without asking me first. Actually i am not even sure exactly when they moved in. I went to the property 4 days before and they already lived there.
But i agree it is not worth for me to argue with them because of 4 days.
thanks for everyone's input.
Victoria
I have done the same thing, and do not care when they move in. After the lease is signed and I have $$...they have keys...I tell them to move in whenever they want to.
ItzMe
velin,
You might want to just ask your attorney to give you an opinion just for your own edification.
My opinion is that you gave the tenant's implied consent to early occupancy when you gave them the keys.
I would not press the issue it is too trivial. As long as the property was vacant. Actually I prefer to have someone living in my rentals,it cuts down on vandalism.