Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Negotiate with Relocation Company
My tenants got a new job in the East coast, and their relocation company wants to break the lease which still has four months to go. What can I expect from the relocation company when I talk to them?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Negotiate with Relocation Company
They are responsible for any costs you incur in finding a new tenant, the rental payment for the days vacant, and the difference between what you receive now and whatever the new rent is, if less. Of course, the new rent must be in good faith. You can't rent it to your brother for $100 per month when fair rental value is $1600.
If they give you a hard time, just ask them what they would have said if you had called them with 4 months to go and asked for a $500 increase in rent, or the tenant would need to move.
Don't let them make THEIR problem your problem.
Re: Negotiate with Relocation Company
They will want to know that the balance of the lease is truly owed. You may have to send them a copy of the lease. They may require you (as the law already does) to promise to refund (or not charge for) any of the four remaining months which may be "picked up" by a new tenant. To go one step further (and as the law ALSO requires), you may have to promise to take reasonable steps to try and land a new tenant.