Paranormal Activity as a Lease Breaker?

[ilikeu]

I have signed a TA for 12 months with a clause on no early termination. In the event of early termination by Tenant, Tenant has to pay up the balance lease period. Now, barely one month into the lease, my Tenant alleges that there are paranormal activities in the house (eg. shadows, strange noises etc) and suggested that they may want to move out. I suspect they want to use that to cancel the lease without compensation. My family had stayed there for 20 years peacefully, before renting out the place to them.

Does my Tenant has a case? How to warn my Tenant not to make such allegations as it may affect my house future rental oppotunity?

[BBCWatcher]

Does the tenant have photographic or video evidence of this alleged paranormal activity? As an understanding, sympathetic landlord, you would be willing to review such evidence with an open and fair mind, wouldn't you?

Most tenancy agreements describe who bears repair costs. Commonly that means the tenant bears the first $150 of cost for any necessary repairs. Assuming solid evidence of the necessity of the repair is presented to you, the tenant has the option of hiring a qualified exorcist to cure the problem. I'm not sure what the going rate for an exorcism is, though, or what government department licenses and certifies exorcists. I assume the cost varies depending on the nature and extent of the paranormal activity.

....OK, I think I'm joking after my first sentence or two. Seriously, that's one way to handle it: "Please show me hard evidence, and I'll consider it."

[nakatago]

I have signed a TA for 12 months with a clause on no early termination. In the event of early termination by Tenant, Tenant has to pay up the balance lease period. Now, barely one month into the lease, my Tenant alleges that there are paranormal activities in the house (eg. shadows, strange noises etc) and suggested that they may want to move out. I suspect they want to use that to cancel the lease without compensation. My family had stayed there for 20 years peacefully, before renting out the place to them.

Does my Tenant has a case? How to warn my Tenant not to make such allegations as it may affect my house future rental oppotunity?

NO.

The thing about paranormal activity is, it can't be proven. The tenant is superstitious, easily startled or just came up with a very creative excuse to break a lease.

If he still insists, tell him he can hire his own ghostbusters at his own expense because using ghosts as an excuse to break a lease is just ridiculous.

[ilikeu]

I am just afraid the tenant takes revenge by spreading this paranormal claims on social media and to the neighbours, which will affect the rental opportunity when i sourced for my next tenant. If that happens, I would think I have a case to sue them for false allegations.

[nakatago]

https://twitter.com/paulfeig/status/619 ... 20/photo/1

[JR8]

Are you able to find out (via google and social media) why he might actually be wishing to leave? New job on other side of island, move in with GF/BF/friends, leaving the country? etc