Boyfriend/Girlfriend breakup and rent responsability

[Roy Gutierrez]

Hi guys,

It's been a few years since I had to look for a new renter, I'm strongly considering a couple, one make 45K, the other 60K, both with stellar credit reports (rent is $1,325). They have been together for one year and it's going to be the first time they live together, so it wouldn't be totally far off for them to realize that they're not compatible once they start living together and break up. 

So how should I handle this? Should I just put the higher earner in the lease as being the one responsible for rent or have them both as being responsible? In the case that they have a fight and break up I can imagine the problems trying to collect half from both but if one is responsible I can see one leaving and the higher earner staying and keep paying while maybe trying to find a roommate. 

Am I far off? How do you guys set up your contract with this situation?

Thank you!

[Michael Noto]

@Roy Gutierrez Don't overthink this.  They both have good income and good credit so they both go on the lease.  Explain to them that you only want one payment per month for the rent and that if the ship goes down they are both going down.

Good people with good credit will pay their rent even if they break up.