Expert: Dick Dennis - 10/27/2009

Question
Good Morning I am concern..I am buying a house in NJ closing is at the end of the week. I went to the house for a pre final inspection to find the tenant still lives there.  Her lease is not up until DEC. 2009.  I stated that I wanted the house vacant at closing.  The owner says he did all he can do to help her find a place and she needs another month. If the tax credit didn't end in Nov. 31st i would have said we can wait to close, but not only wasn't I notified of this matter, I already purchased home insurance what are my options...upset/but i do want the house, but I don't want tenants.  stump? any advice  

Answer
Sorry, Trisha, but the tenant has a lease valid until the end of December. You should have known that when you bought the house. The agent who sold you the house should have advised you that you cannot evict the tenant until after the lease expires. You can own the property at the end of the week, but you will have the tenant until her lease expires . . . that is if you, as the landlady, give her a notice that she must move by no later than the end of her lease. You better check to see if you were advised in the acceptance of your offer to purchase. I wish you well.

Dick Dennis