Well, consider a month-to-month agreement. While this may not fit well into your business plan, put yourself in their shoes. How would you like the situation to be handled if you had a small child and your wife was just diagnosed with a possibly fatal condition? I'm not saying that you should give them free rent, just come up with a solution that helps both sides.

If all you are concerned about is making the almighty dollar and getting everyone to sign a fixed lease no matter what the situation, then you need to take a long look at yourself in the mirror.

The LAW is not on their side ... but have you considered sitting down and talking to them about their situation and how to handle things.

Maybe the wife was exhausted and sleeping soundly for the first time in days. Maybe she was in the bathroom having a hysterical crying jag, or maybe her chemo made her vomit all over the carpet.

The law does not change when hardships arrive.

Like Lazy said it could be multiple personal things.

I would not do any favors for them other than perhaps work out a month to month written agreement. You currently don't know when they are leaving or how long they will stay.

You need to talk to them either way so you don't end up with two tenants on the first.