My friend has singed a one year lease in Florida to rent their home to someone because she had to move in with her sick mom. Her mom who seems to be suffering from mental illness does not want her daughter in the home any longer. She hired a full time nurse and now needs to get out of the house because the mother has made it impossible for her to stay.

The tenant has not yet moved into her house yet, so she wants to cancel the lease and move back into her home. The tenant can stay where she is now on a month to month but will still need to find a new home to rent because her existing landlord is selling the home she is in.

My friend wrote a letter to the tenant explaining the situation and has even offered to pay her one months rent in hopes that she can go find another home to rent.

The tenant has sent a letter saying she will take legal action if she isn't allowed to move into the home.

My question is should my friend just stay in her home and take her chances that the tenant will find something else? Can she really claim damages?

Sure she can. If they have signed a lease your friend would be breaking that lease.

The buyout was a good idea. She could try to sweeten the pot - offer the tenant more $$ to cancel the contract. Otherwise I think she'd be taking her chances. The tenant sounds pretty serious and well informed.

If they do reach some kind of understanding make sure your friend gets it in writing - signed by both parties.