Can You Rent Your Short Sale Duplex?

The other night I stopped by a Minneapolis duplex to see if I could help the owner avoid the potential credit and tax consequences of foreclosure.

Guess what I saw in the front yard?

A “For Rent” sign.

Mind you, the sheriff’s sale has already happened on the property; meaning the owner has six months or less to either redeem the loan or lose it to the bank.

And the owner is within his rights to collect rent (unless the lender has told him otherwise).

But if you were a tenant and knew the duplex was in foreclosure, would you want to move in? If so, would you expect a discount on the rent?

Perhaps the owner simply planned not to tell them.

Trouble is, Minnesota state law requires him to.

A duplex owner in foreclosure must notify a prospective tenant, in writing, not only that the building is in foreclosure, but also the date the redemption period ends.

What’s more, the owner cannot lawfully sign a lease that extends beyond that redemption period.

So what’s the worst that can happen? After the bank reposses the duplex, the tenant can sue the landlord; not only for rent, but also for defending against an eviction case brought by the bank.

Seems to me like this guy’s got enough trouble already.