Just looking for perspectives from both sides. We rent out a flat above our business premises. Current tenant has been there 8 years and has a 7 Yr old child. On the whole she's been ok, although we often have to chase her for the rent and she has small pets for her child when contract states no pets. She's also had boyfriends over the years who have smoked (tobacco and weed) in the flat, when contract states no smoking.
Things have been a bit strained since last year when DH spoke to her about the smell of weed seeping into the business premises.
The current contract ends in August next year and we won't be renewing as we're retiring and the site is being redeveloped. We had planned to tell her this August, to give her 12 months to get used to the idea and prepare. Her little boy is lovely and I'd hate for things to be difficult for them.
We've just found out she's now pregnant, due in September. Telling a pregnant single parent that her tenancy is ending next August seems so cold, but then when's a good time? If we leave it until 6 months before the contract ends she'll have an 8 Yr old and a 5 month old. Rental prices have increased substantially here, as everywhere, and the rent she pays us for a large 2 bed flat is now what a room in a house share with shared kitchen would cost.
Husband thinks we tell her in August as planned, but I think she has enough on her plate and we should wait until later in the year. Although she has a decent job and income, I have a feeling she won't be able to afford to rent a similar property and she'll be advised to refuse to leave until evicted so the local HA has a duty to rehome, which could take months. Having said that, we have no idea what relationship she has with the father of the new baby (nobody lives with her) and maybe they have their own plans, who knows!?
Just interested in the views of others from either side of the situation. When's the best time to put the wheels in motion to be fair to her and reduce the chance of complications for us?