Roommates - Landlord Forum thread

Roommates by Cameron on May 7, 2012 @21:44

So first, I have a large house which originally had 5 tenants (roommates), but 2 moved out. This was good as they were causing issues and late with their portion of rent. They have been formally removed from the lease with agreement by all tenants. As expected, the remaining 3 tenants want to have one of their friends move in to replace. Each of the 3 tenants are financially stable and as of now are jointly and severally liable on the lease. They simply want another person to bring down the bills/rent. They could afford it without.

The new, 4th tenant on the other hand has incredibly bad credit, credit score of 486, and no job and only source of income is disability and "help from an ex". He does have a proven payment record for rent for 1 year though. Obviously, this is like a poster child of someone you don't rent to normally. Even so, his potential roommates, my tenants, are aware of all this and his possible inability to pay rent. They just want to pay less rent and "help" their friend. I already have a full month deposit and they are well aware that if he doesn't pay, they're all still obligated to pay or get evicted.

My question is this. Would you, 1) sign a lease in this situation adding him as the 4th, all jointly and severally liable, under the fact that there are 3 reputable cosigners, 2) just say no, 3) Or, my third idea is to simply provide a written letter authorizing long term guest permission to him, that can be revoked at any time by myself or any tenant. I was thinking this might be the best idea all around as if he doesn't pay rent, they can just kick him out without the hassle of the lease protecting him. I have the current lease with the other 3, covering myself. I don't know if there's any kind of rules/deadlines here if I were to retract my permission since it's not really a eviction.

Any thoughts?

Cameron

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Re: Roommates by Bryan (Ia) on May 7, 2012 @22:15	[ Reply ]

Once he has established residency, you nor the Ts can just "kick him out;" he must be evicted whether of not he is paying rent. If you have to evict, you must evict the whole kit and caboodle. You cannot evict one person.

Re: Roommates by Jake on May 7, 2012 @22:22	[ Reply ]

You are right that your new applicant is nine pounds of bad news. This is simple. Tell your current tenants that their friend does not qualify to rent from you or from anyone else for that matter. Most emphatically get the point across that this person should never be considered a guest in your rental and he is never to spend a single night there. Here is what is shaping up. The three who are paying rent will be moving out. The unemployed deadbeat on disability is the one you will be left with. Then he will move in the remainder of his deadbeat family, his girlfriend and her kids to boot.

Re: Roommates by Anonymous on May 7, 2012 @22:43	[ Reply ]

What Bryan and Jake said. Re-read it and re-read it often. Do it. If you let this "pal" move in, you will regret it.

Re: Roommates by Annie, CA on May 7, 2012 @22:45	[ Reply ]

to be on the safe side, i think i would reject him based on his credit score.

Re: Roommates by Eric (MN) on May 8, 2012 @16:14	[ Reply ]

You already have the house rented. You already have tenants thay are paying, and can pay. If they bring in an extra guest, they could do it without your knowledge, and it would be near impossible to evict over. The guest is high risk, for your tenants. It really dosn't matter if he is there or not. It can only help their ability to pay, it actually lowers your risk. Go ahead and add him to the lease.

Re: Roommates