Received a cashier check for $1390 today. ELT.

Small apt, gave proper notice. Job transfer.

Two months? Nice.

I've started asking for three now. As a negotiating position, so if they complain, I can lower to two months.

If they give up and leave, you still have the deposit. The same deposit that Brad needs to return now.

NE,

Brad, congrats on the ELT! I just got one for $850 the other day. I charge a little more than 6 week's rent, and this was my humblest abode: a little 1 bed, 1 bath side of a duplex that rented for $550/month. He was only 2 months into his lease. Got proper notice, last months rent, and picked up the cashiers check when we did the walk-thru. That was Aug 30th. Today, I've got my new tenant moving in to that same unit. A bit of hustle and a good process makes one profitable.

Fun note: looking back on this place when I bought it. I paid $70,000 in the pre C-19 world. Based on comps, it's FMV is now around $120,000. Combining the two sides, I get $1,100 a month. Not my best deal ever, but not bad!

Zero, it says in Brad's post...job transfer.

Keep in mind: many regulations for rentals affect RESIDENTIAL rentals, not COMMERICAL rentals. They haven't started gunning for those... yet.

They day they outlaw ETFs, you can bet I will hold tenant's feet to the fire for every single day of rent owed, including utilities, mowing, and any damages done. Hopefully, this "tenant's bill of rights" won't pass, but if it does then hopefully it won't preclude that and just give them a get out of lease free anytime for any reason. If that happens, I will finish selling my residential portfolio and focus strictly on commercial where regulation appears to be less cumbersome. Those rich business guys have to pay their rent! (*smiles)

The Fed Govt (and Blue states too) seems convinced that regulating rentals leads to more and cheaper rentals. Where they get evidence for this, I have no idea, because every study I've read shows the long-term effects are detrimental to the availability and pricing of residential rentals. People stay put in rentals for decades living on the artificially cheap rent, leaving no units for new renters who could afford to pay the market price. Empty nesters hang on to their 3-4 bedroom units long after the kids move out because they are cheaper than moving to a 1-2 bedroom unit, leaving young families with nothing to choose. And landlords skimp on repairs because the rent isn't worth the reward. New construction is limited, because builders can get more $ with owner occupied, custom homes.

My judge is very clear about ETFs. If the tenant elects gracefully duck out of a lease they can volunteer to pay that fee. Use a normal security deposit accounting on the place for anything that isn't wear and tear.