For a variety of reasons, many renters move on to a new place to live at the end of their current lease with. As a landlord though, it is most often in your best interest to secure a lease renewal with them, in order to save on lost rent, maintenance repairs to flip the unit, and additional incurred marketing costs. 

A tenant has the right and flexibility to move at the end of their lease, which is often one of the most attractive reasons why someone chooses to rent in the first place. While the reason they give you will be a valid concern of theirs to consider, often there may be a solution to offer them which would convince your tenants to stay.

If your tenants have been good quality tenants and you would like to convince them to stay, consider these solutions to the top reasons tenants move and see if they can apply to the reasons and situations your tenants are facing.



Tenant Move-Out Reason #1: The Space Is Too Small

People outgrow the spaces they live in. That’s just a fact of life. The birth of a child, a new spouse or roommate are just a few of the reasons. 

• If you own and manage multiple units to rent out, look at your open inventory and see if you have any other larger units available to offer them. If you have been a good landlord, they may give your property priority over others that they may be considering. Sell the point that you have provided them with good service and they can know what to expect when they sign a new lease with you.
• If you do not own other properties, or do not have any others available to offer, try to entice your current tenants to overlook the smaller square footage by offering to upgrade some of the features in the apartment to be more to their liking. Have an open conversation about which features would be beneficial enough to them, to hold off on moving and to enjoy a more customized space.

Tenant Move-Out Reason #2: Rent is Unaffordable

Another fact of life is that everyone has financial ups and downs, and the change in budget may make it necessary for your tenants to consider finding a new place.

• If you own multiple properties, check your inventory again to see if you may have a property that you could offer to let them move into that has a cheaper monthly rent.
• Depending on the circumstances, you may want to offer your tenants a decrease in their rent payment. Speak to them and see what their specific needs are. It could be a temporary decrease or maybe even a small amount that your budget would be able to afford.

Tenant Move-Out Reason #3: New Job

A new job in another location is a tough reason to find a solution for, but there are still ideas to consider. 

• Do you have any properties in other cities? Ask your tenant where they are moving, if a perfect situation, they may be able to transfer into another property you own.
• If you don’t have housing solutions for them in their new city, perhaps you can offer your assistance and recommend a landlord you know in the area. You might not be able to retain your tenant, but at least you may be able to earn a referral bonus.

Tenant Move-Out Reason #4: The Space Is Too Large

The reverse of the “too small” complaint, this tenant may have experienced the loss of a spouse or their kids may have gone off to college.

• Consider any other properties you own to see if you can offer a smaller unit for them to transfer into. 
• Entice your tenant to stay in your rental property by offering a few dollars off rent each month, offer to purchase new appliances for the unit or something else which may make them think twice about leaving.

Tenant Move-Out Reason #5: Change In Relationship

There’s not a whole lot you can do about this one, but if a couple separates or roommates decide to part ways you may want to offer:

• If you have multiple units, perhaps you could suggest each of them taking one of those, instead of losing them as a tenant altogether. As a bonus to you - you would be renting 2 instead of 1.

Tenant Move-Out Reason #6: Problems With Maintenance

Many renters will decide to move at the end of their lease due to experiencing too many issues with maintenance, or if the maintenance issues they have had, were not properly addressed.

• Avoid your tenants moving due to maintenance by being proactive and doing regular maintenance inspections and preventative maintenance. If a tenant contacts you with a problem or maintenance concern, make sure to address it swiftly and correctly. 
• Be easy to reach, so that your tenant knows you are there to take care of the problem, which will help them avoid becoming frustrated. 

Tenant Move-Out Reason #6: Problems With Maintenance

Bad neighbors have the potential to spoil a good living experience for all of those around them.

• Do your best to avoid a bad neighbor situation, by properly screening your incoming tenants. Make sure you check references to ensure you will be putting good quality tenants into your units. 

Tenant Move-Out Reason #8: New Location

As a landlord, it may be difficult to overcome this reason. Once your tenant has made up their mind that they want a change of scenery, neighborhood, or better amenities, it will most likely be hard to talk them out of it. 

• If you have another property where they would like to move, be sure to offer it as a solution, in order to retain them as your tenant. 
• Try the enticement method and see if there is anything you could do to talk them into staying.

Whatever the reason your tenant gives you to want to end their lease, try to convince your tenants to stay using these solutions to the top reasons tenants want to move. If they cannot be convinced, thank them for being great tenants and graciously part ways. Always keep the relationship positive, because you never know when their situation will change again- they may need to rent from you in the future.

Thousand Hills Realty is Branson’s premier property management company. If you would like to find out all the reasons a property manager could make your life as a rental property owner simpler, contact us today at (417) 337-8081.