throwing the baby out?
I own an investment condo unit which I’m attempting to sell, so far unsucessfully. It’s been empty a while and so I’m losing a lot of money each month. I’ve decided to rent it month to month for much less than the market rental rate. The tenants would have to allow my agent to show…
I own an investment condo unit which I’m attempting to sell, so far unsucessfully. It’s been empty a while and so I’m losing a lot of money each month. I’ve decided to rent it month to month for much less than the market rental rate. The tenants would have to allow my agent to show the unit and have open houses every other week-end. A nice couple is willing to take it and she is due to give birth in July. The absolutely know the situation; that, when I go into contract they will get sixty days to vacate and they have agreed in writing. Mentioning this to some friends, they think I’m crazy to rent to this couple because of the possibility of their staying on, using the newborn as an excuse. Again, they fully understand they would be moving in month to month. Any thoughts.
I don’t think anyone here is saying that all tenants want conflict.
I think it is fair to say that landlords face a specific risk: the odd tenant who either wants or can’t avoid a conflict. And that it’s reasonable to work to minimize risk, as long as it’s done in a fair way.
If this person can’t tolerate the risk, then they shouldn’t rent. Period. Baby or no baby. The bottom line is that the baby people could be great tenants, and single gal X could be a vicious wackjob with a singular intent on screwing the landlord.
The thing that sticks out here is not that the potential tenants have a baby, but that a potential risk (like a baby, like anything) created such trepidation.
Don’t show the place vacant – get some furniture in there and stage it, and it will sell (if you aren’t priced too high.) This is way better for selling than showing it occupied with tenants.
If you are holding out for a price higher than the market will bear, and don’t care if you sell or not, then go ahead and rent. But don’t make your decision on a discriminatory basis (the baby.) Maybe these people are looking to buy (or a better rental for the longer term) so are OK with a short-term rental. Maybe they are honorable and will move out when their time is up (I would, and a baby wouldn’t change that. Contrary to landlords’ expectations on this board, not all tenants are deadbeats who want to live with conflict.)
But if you truly want to sell, make it look good with staging furniture, and sell it instead.
Maybe, the couple will look for an apartment after the baby is born.
Landlord, I hope you know how to change a diaper.
Is it number one or number two?
Don’t you love surprises……
.
Of course, one can also understand the tenants: it must be hell trying to find a rental apartment while pregnant. No wonder they are willing to agree to anything.
Did you ask them for their first-born? There may be room to negotiate… jk.
“Okay, but “ez” I am still concerned that you aren’t protecting yourself. While you could certainly decide not to rent the apartment at all, you can’t decide not to rent to someone because of a legally protected characteristic (such as family status).”
Wrong. This was covered in another thread recently. Owners of one condo unit or apartment in their home can rent or refuse to rent to whomever they want for whatever reason.
3:17….how you going to track down ez and report him to the authorities?
Not renting it to the couple?
Be careful about going and renting it to someone else now that you’ve posted on a very public forum that you are not going to rent it specifically to this couple now that everyone’s talked about how difficult it might be for this pregnant couple to move once a baby is born!!!
That’s breaking the law, you can get in big trouble for that!!!
thanks all. i decided not to rent it to the couple.
As a landlord myself, I would sooner lower the price than take on a risk like this.
When you’re a landlord, you’re taking responsibility for someone else’s home. I think it’s important for all landlords to act with that basic responsibility in mind. If you are going to need them to leave and they can’t, then you are going to find yourself overextended, and the law will not and should not be on your side.
(Omigod, I just agreed with Ysabelle…)