Selling a Rental Property When Your Tenants Are Violating the Lease

Alex Mulsoff
Sep 5
4 min read

Updated: Sep 20

TLDR: Yes, you can sell a rental property in Kansas City even if tenants are breaking the lease. Missouri and Kansas law allows you to sell with violations in place, but most buyers want the home vacant at closing. Options include negotiating move-out, offering “cash for keys,” or working with a local buyer who understands problem rentals. Riverfront Home Buyers helps landlords across Jackson, Clay, Platte, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties sell rentals as-is, without multiple showings, hidden fees, or drawn-out negotiations.

Being a landlord in Missouri or Kansas is not easy, especially when tenants stop following the lease. Whether it is late rent, unauthorized subletting, property damage, or refusal to communicate, these issues can turn a rental into a major headache.

If you are ready to move on from a rental property with tenant problems, the good news is you can sell. How you do that depends on your lease, your timeline, and the buyer you work with.

At Riverfront Home Buyers, we help landlords in the Kansas City area sell problem rentals without dealing with evictions, cleanouts, or drawn-out negotiations. Here is what you need to know.

Can I Sell a Rental Property with Lease Violations in Missouri or Kansas?

Yes, you have the legal right to sell a rental property even if tenants are breaking the lease.

But there is a catch. You need a buyer who is willing to take on the situation or you need to resolve the lease violations before closing.

Most landlords do one of two things:

Sell with tenants still in place to a buyer willing to wait for move-out
Resolve lease issues before selling through agreements, cash for keys, or eviction

At Riverfront, we usually do not buy tenant-occupied homes. Still, we help landlords get properties under contract early and offer flexible closing dates once tenants leave.

Why Can’t Most Traditional Buyers Buy Properties with Problem Tenants?

Most traditional buyers or families need mortgage approval, which usually requires the property to be empty. Most will not take on legal issues, unpaid rent, or damaged homes.

Because of this, many landlords turn to local off-market buyers like Riverfront.

We have helped landlords who:

Have filed eviction notices
Face code violations at the property
Deal with noncooperative or nonpaying tenants

We work with your timeline, not someone else’s ideal schedule.

Do I Have to Evict Tenants Before I Sell?

Not always. You can legally sell rental properties with tenants still living there in Missouri and Kansas. The law does not require tenants to move out before closing.

What matters more is what the buyer expects. Most buyers, including ours, want the home vacant at closing. You will likely need to negotiate move-out plans or cash for keys with tenants. We guide you every step of the way.

What If My Tenants Refuse Showings or Will Not Communicate?

This happens often. If your tenants will not allow walkthroughs, ignore your calls or messages, or create safety concerns, you are not alone.

Riverfront can schedule a single walkthrough with our team so you do not have to worry about multiple showings or prepping the property. We handle communication for you.

Is There a Catch When Selling a Rental with Problem Tenants

There is no catch, but there is a process. Here is how we work

No pressure. You decide if it feels right
No judgment. We understand landlord burnout
No agent fees. You sell directly
Flexible closing. We fit your timeline

We are local, family-run, and guide you through every step with honesty.

Call us to start the conversation 816.448.8164 or fill out this form to request an offer.

FAQ: Selling a Rental Property with Problem Tenants in Missouri or Kansas

Can I sell a rental property in Kansas City if my tenants are breaking the lease?

Yes. As the property owner, you can legally sell even if tenants are violating the lease. Riverfront Home Buyers helps Kansas City landlords sell rental homes as-is—with flexible closing timelines after the tenants move out.

What happens to the lease when I sell a rental with a tenant in place?

Legally, the lease transfers to the new owner. If your buyer is okay with inheriting the tenant, the lease stays in effect. Riverfront Home Buyers typically want the tenant to vacate before closing. But we offer flexible timing, Cash for keys, or we might very occasionally buy the property with the tenants in it to make that happen.

What paperwork do I need to sell a rental with tenants?

Ideally: a copy of the lease, rent payment history, and any notices served. If there’s an estoppel agreement (confirming tenant terms), that can help clarify expectations for all parties. We’ll help you gather what’s needed.

Does Riverfront buy rentals in Jackson County, Clay County, or Johnson County?

Yes, we serve landlords across Kansas City and surrounding areas including Jackson, Clay, Platte, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties.

About the Author

Alex Mulsoff , co-founder of Riverfront Home Buyers, brings deep Kansas City roots and hands-on experience in demolition and construction. With over a decade working in Local 101 trades, Alex understands hard work and honesty. Now leading acquisitions, he helps homeowners navigate inherited or challenging property sales with care, clear guidance, and no pressure.

Reviews & testimonials from Kansas City families we have helped:

Riverfront Home Buyers is a veteran-owned, family-run business in Kansas City and a BBB-accredited company with an A rating, trusted by local families across Missouri and Kansas. Click here to read more reviews.

“Best experience ever regarding the sell of my house. Negotiations were done in 5 minutes. Highly recommended” - Maronda W.

“Alex helped me with the sale of my house. He gave me a fair offer and we were able to close in less than 30 days. Alex was great to work with - I found Alex to be personable, professional, honest and trustworthy - no last minute surprises. Thank you Alex for making the sale of my house a stress free experience! ” -Lynn A.