We recently purchased a commercial building from shady landlord. He seemed to a be a cash the check only type of guy. The building needs some work but my husband is handy and it's general maintainence that's been neglected. There was an existing tenant on a month to month lease due to the building being for sale and the seller's realtor & sale info indicated that the tenant wanted to stay. When I talked to the tenant today, she was surprised I didn't know that she was leaving as of Sept 30. She had given him the info and he turned around and told his realtor (who told our realtor) that she didn't want to sign a year lease. We don't mind that the tenant is leaving as it will be much easier to fix the old landlord'a mess but I'm wondering about the legalities. Is what he did legal? I'm guessing so but I wanted some experts advice.

To add to our fun, this is our very first foray into landlord land!

It's difficult to prove that the ex landlord was positive as to the motives of the tenant. Why don't you offer the current tenantto stay on a month to month? It benefits you both to do month to month at this point really, especially if you aren't sure about this whole thing.

The tenant just started a new job for the health insurance as her husband recently sold his business so they were paying out of pocket. She isn't comfortable having an employee to run the store and her current hours interfere with the business so she's definitely out. I did offer a month to month. She has a LOT of inventory. A LOT. So much that it makes reaching the water heater and the electrical panel difficult. She uses the finished front for display and the unfinished back for extra and seasonal storage. We aren't adverse to having an empty building for a few months. We ended up paying much less than anticipated for it.

Too funny BET.