Q&A: Can Landlords Make Tenants Pay if They Break Their Lease?

What recourse do landlords have if tenants break their lease and vacate a rental unit before paying rent for the entire term of the lease? Today’s question comes from a landlord whose tenants not only broke a lease two months early, but also left behind damage in the rental unit. Since the security deposit won’t cover all of the lost rent revenue plus the damage, the landlord has to decide how far to pursue the tenants for restitution. Litigation is an option, but it would cost the landlord even more to hire a lawyer, depending on the terms of the lease and the outcome of the court case. That’s why it’s a good idea to use a lease that includes language providing the landlord with specific rights and protections that facilitate the litigation process in the event it is necessary. For this and other tips that may help landlords protect their real estate investments, watch today’s Real Estate Minute video. Be sure subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest real estate tips and news: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=expertrealestatetips And for more of my real estate and personal finance tips: Read my blog: http://thinkglink.com See my tweets: http://www.twitter.com/glink Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ilyceglink