Renter Breaking Lease

[funder]

What is the name of your state? MI

Daughter has a duplex and it's finally fixed up and the "other" part is rented. Daughter occupies upstairs. Renter informs daughter that "they" are after her(renter) for child support and she has to move in with her mother. Of course, the deposit was used as last months rent. Renter was in apt 4 out of 12 months. I believe she is leaving the place clean. Everything was new when she moved in.

She basically told my daughter "you can't get blood from a turnip." I'm sure my daughter verbally agreed this was fine. Since the woman was "honest" and told my daughter ahead of time and daughter had a deposit, is this a logical thing to do? We are new to the business of renting. This renter has 3 children with her and apparently a couple of others elsewhere and possibly no means of earning a living. What's the thought on this? My daughter just put the house up for sale, which had nothing to do with the renter leaving.

Only friendly, helpful advice, please.

Thanks, Funder

 

[ecmst12]

Your daughter is a nice person. However if she doesn't intend to try to get a new tenant, since she is selling the house, then she'd be limited in what she can recover in a suit anyway. It might be best to just hope the house sells quickly.

 

[PghREA]

I've been a landlord for a number of years. If someone wants to get out of lease, I let him. I've only had 2 people break a lease in 20 years and both of them had a good reason. To me, it is not worth the hassle of fighting with them. I did keep the security deposits.

 

[funder]

Thank you both

Your comments were both helpful. Thanks so much.
Funder