Seems like almost everytime I have a current tenant that wants to rent a different place I have... I explain carefully, slowly, in detail:

~To move in new place...we need deposit and first months rent.

~No, we can't "transfer" your deposit.

~No, we can't give you back some of the rent for the place you are at if you move early.

~Yes, you still need to give us notice that you are moving.

~It may take up to a few weeks for us to provide an accounting of deposit for old place.

Seems like they are always still "confused". It's like they think that since they are in a current place of mine, the rules are different.

Sigh.

I repeat.

Slowly.

Sigh.

Most of the time, when I'll transfer a tenant to another apartment, their old unit needs a lot of work, and the new unit had a complete make over. Meaning I'm going to loose 2 months rent on the old unit and the tenant wants a discounted rent on the new place.

These are true in my lower class area/buildings.

So for the past 20 years, I require a re-qualification for a new unit at a higher rent.

But something wonderful has happened with my above average units in good areas. Tenants in small units ask to see my recently vacant units that are in the process of being fix/remodeled. Why, they are getting married? Having a baby or have a new job and can work from home part time.

We just had this come up. It all depends on the spaces and the tenants. Are they cooperative and clean?

So: Upstairs Tenants were a bit piggy, had two cats and didn't know how to clean. Damage was minimal, 4 years wear & tear - but it was dirty and smelled. Even with plenty of notice we decided we couldn't show until they were out - against all our policies of showing occupied spaces. But suddenly Downstairs asked if they could have the larger place. AND Upstairs moved two weeks early so time was on our side.

So let Downstairs have the Upstairs. She has been an excellent resident in every way so why not? She paid up the difference in deposits to hold it, and we worked on the Upstairs place to do a few upgrades to make sure it was clean and she was happy.

Downstairs rented on second showing.

So Voila. Saved the good tenant who really needs a bigger place - and got another good one in (we know her - former tenant! She is the one whose house fell down and she had to move, but wants back in with us.)

The first time I moved someone to a different place of mine I lost a little money and time.

The reason was that he was moving literally to the apartment next door in the same duplex, but it took him two weeks to do it. We started working on his current place while he was still in it, but it was tough as all his still was strewn about.

Three other times it worked out well in the end. Since they were good tenants I allowed them to make payments on the new SD. I told them up front what they could expect to be used as a minimum from their existing SD.

They moved, were happy with the new place. Spent more on rent and eventually covered the new SD, minus whatever was needed to fix up their current place.

I have a few that ask to be put on a list for when something bigger or more suitable comes up. If they are great tenants I will do so. If they are meh tenants I just fill the new places.

Right now my places go fast (knocks on wood) so I will lose a little if I move people.

Zero that's true about the deposit - but if they are a good tenant and you want to keep them, being able to transfer their deposit is a key plus factor. Then increase it so they do have new skin in the game.

Also they have to allow big-time inspection prior to move so you can spell things out to them.

WMH, I am still reaching for your splendid crown. Don't worry tho as I do not feel I will ever attain that goal.

I did get the last three places rented out before I had them ready to go.

The very last one I got the rent and SD before I had the carpets cleaned. They were so happy to get the chance to rent from me it was amazing.

If only I had pushed my kid to get out of there sooner I could have been another month ahead.

How do we deal with it? Tell them - YES

YES, you can move in and all that you need to do is pay that ETF and pay a surplus deposit since you are already showing us a willingness to disregard the first lease.