Hi, I've got a rental property and unfortunately my tenant died. The rental paid in advance has expired and the appropriate notice has been given. Given a two year lease has been broken what is the drill with the bond - is that refunded to the tenant?
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Death of a Tenant
Collapse
X
-
Legally IHO you may be able to claim the bond as unpaid rent. You might even be able to go after the estate for the total remaining rent. Talk to a lawyer.
Morally it may better to move on and find a new tenant. Karma is your friend(if you believe in karma)
Comment
-
-
I had a similar situation a few years ago with an elderly tenant. I turned up one morning to mow the lawns and all the relatives where there - they told me she had died during the night.
Within 5 minutes, 1 daughter said "I know my mum was paying 1 week in advance, so can I have her rent back in cash?
As it happened she was initially paying a week in advance, but that went by the wayside some time back...
Within 10 minutes, 2nd daughter came up to me and said "I know my mum paid 4 weeks bond, can you pay that back to me in cash today?
er no, it's held by the DBH....
Nice family!
Comment
-
In my case I refunded the bond. There were heaps of issues with regards being slightly under on rent and property not being clean. Found new tenants fairly quickly. My Property Manager had no idea of what to do, but had obviously googled the situation and protected her ass pretty quickly from potentially bad PR.
I think the karmic approach was the best thing to do. Over now, better tenants.
Can't believe family would ask for the rent (in cash), the morning of her death. That money would be owed to the estate and not any individual family member.
Comment
-
yeah i was thinking that the family wanted the cash quickly for funeral expenses, which can be pretty pricey if you haven't prepared for it (in the thousands of dollars!)
@steven anderson - yeah i reckon the good karma approach is best. It's a sensitive time and it's best not to make any issues especially while emotions are running high for family members.
Comment
Comment