Todate, whenever someone in the middle of a lease (or extension thereof) sends me a "I'm moving out next month; this is my 30 days notice" typically I respond with a kind "Thanks for the heads up on your plans, btw, just a reminder your lease actually ends on (the date it actually ends). Would you like to exercise the Early Lease Termination clause?"

Typically, that elicits one of two responses: "Screw you; I'm moving and I shouldn't have to pay anything" followed by a laundry list of complaints which have never been brought up before, or occasionally "Okay never mind."

Btw, this person otherwise hasn't given me any issues. Rent paid on time. Kept the place good shape. No lease violations... except for this one.

Curious how you all respond when you get these notices... but not necessarily to my tenant in particular?

We hear that once or twice a year. Typically, they pay the fee and move out.

We have had one or two over the years that echoed your residents comments.

We remind them of the paragraph where they can find the early termination clause and fee in writing and include a copy of it to avoid the inevitable, 'I don't see that'.

In the letter, we also provide a copy of our move-out process, what they need to do to get all their security deposit back, etc. And if they referenced anything that would necessitate a service call, we have our maintenance tech go address it asap.

But, there are always those people that just don't get it and want to argue the point, even when they are wrong.

I don't do ELTs. In my market, I would *never* collect them and it would be an ugly process from start to finish.

I collect 2 months of rent for a security deposit. I want full cooperation and a bit of sheepishness for breaking their lease no matter the reason, and a HOPE of getting their deposit back. 60 days notice is required and I do hold their feet to that, 30 days is NOT ENOUGH.

Sometimes I can raise the rent enough to be glad they are going regardless of whether they are a good tenant or not. It's a few weeks of hassle for $1200-$2400 more per year.

If they get the place showing ready, cooperate with scheduled showings and we get the place rented in a timely manner, they get their deposit back. If I can't find the right tenants, I have their ELT in the bank in the form of their deposit.

Thanks to all who have responded so far. To be clear, I like to hear from others occasionally to sort of "test" my landlord bedside manners (heh, maybe not the best analogy). Maybe someone has a "gentler" but still firm way of putting it than I do. I'm mostly a cut-and-dry kind of person.

Like Ken, my first goal will be to get the forwarding address, so in case there are any unpleasantries, I know where to find them. I'll check back later to see what anyone else says.

I send them an email through Buildium reminding them of their obligations to terminate a lease early, typically pointing out the section that refers to the ELT fee and return of the security deposit. If they chose to ignore that than they forfeit the security deposit, that's their decision.

I have responded 3 times in past 2 weeks to questions about ELT. In each case, their lease had auto renewed for another 12 months. I pasted the ELT terms from the lease to the text.

So, far so good. I collected a $1550 ELT yesterday, and expect another in January. One more is likely in May/June.

When I have a tenant in a lease violation, I will take a picture of the written lease ELT paragraph with the violation and text this to the lessee or lessees. Also, send the date the lease begins and ends.

In my current lease there is a clause about a calendar months notice must be given. I.e. the first day of the month, not a 30 day notice on the 15th.

We also, have to pick our battles.

Since winter is coming on, you might get this tenant to cooperate and allow you to show the property to get it re-rented and lose no downtime.

My lease is clear: it includes a page labeled OFFICIAL MOVE OUT NOTICE. We require notification on this form only, which includes forwarding address, current employment and phone numbers.

It includes a calculation sheet for them to figure their 2 calendar months notice period and ELT.

We will work out a payment plan if needed.

Renters are now very accustomed to ELT fees as they are now common in the industry.

If they skip we enter the ELT on their ledger and then sue for unpaid rent.

Overall, people just pay it.

Empower the tenant to make a decision and hold there feet to it.......

"If you are terminating early you have three paths we can follow 1) you can be on the hook for the following expenses and lost rent while I find your replacement 2) You can pay the fixed ETF and be off the hook with the turn over the keys if the place is left clean 3) We can go through an eviction process and this will impact your ability to ever rent again and your abilities to ever get future job. Do you plan on ever working again?"

Well in my hood your response is meaningless. They backup the truck in the dark and disappear. I am just thankful to know about the vacancy so I can get there while the pipes are warm.

Adding insult to injury, no judge in the hood is going a award an ELT to you in the judgement. And the judgement is uncollectable anyway.