Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) Practice Test

Which is a strategy for dealing with holdover residents?

1. Offering a month-to-month lease

2. Increasing their rent immediately

3. Ignoring their presence

4. Evicting them without notice

The correct answer is: Offering a month-to-month lease

Offering a month-to-month lease is an effective strategy for dealing with holdover residents because it provides a flexible arrangement that can accommodate both the landlord's needs and the resident's situation. A month-to-month lease allows the resident to remain in the property while also giving the landlord the option to terminate the agreement with proper notice as needed. This approach can be advantageous in maintaining a positive relationship with the resident, as it acknowledges their desire to stay while still imposing a structured framework for tenancy. In contrast, increasing the rent immediately could lead to dissatisfaction and financial strain for the resident, making it less likely for them to remain in the unit. Ignoring their presence is generally not a viable strategy, as it may lead to legal complications and can harm the overall management of the property. Evicting them without notice is not permissible under most rental laws and can create significant legal liabilities for the landlord. Thus, offering a month-to-month lease presents a practical, legally compliant, and resident-friendly approach for managing holdover situations.