How to help my tenant

Question

I have a property with two tenants sharing a single family house. The original tenant had a girl friend living with him for a while and when she moved out he had another friend move in. I had him complete the new tenant process and he was approved. They both owe the rent and utilities together. My original tenant is now having a difficult time getting his friend to pay his portion of the rent, however he always makes sure that I am paid the full amount. He asked me if there is anything that I can do to help him get the other tenant's portion on a more timely basis. I want to help him if I can because he is such a good tenant and really takes care of the place. I know that since I am being paid the rent it really isn't my problem but I don't want it to become my problem if the original tenant starts to have problems making sure the rent is paid.

Do you have any ideas how I can help him?

Jeff B. · Answer

This exact situation cost me loss of 4 months rent plus $9,500 of damages.

a) don't take separate payments, but only one check or money order & you don't care from whom.

b) advise all persons that failure to pay on time will result in a 3-day Pay or Quit

If necessary enforce that by filing UD action.

Missy H. · Answer

When you say that you "had him complete the new tenant process and he was approved", do you mean that both of them signed a new lease?

If they did not sign a new lease, then the person/persons who signed the original lease is still jointly responsible for the rent; unless it is now a month to month lease.

If they did both sign a new lease, and your original tenant is paying the full amount, then there is no reason for you to get involved.  (If the new guy did not pay the cable bill, but it was still paid in full, the cable company would not get involved.)  You would only step in if the full amount is not paid and then both tenants would be evicted.

Hope it helps.

Galen Bricker · Answer

Thank you for your answers. I thought to that there wasn't much I could do without hurting myself.  I'll talk to him about possibly getting another roommate if needed.

Jeff Bridges · Answer

If his roommate is not holding up his end of the bargain, he should encourage his roommate to move out and find a new roommate that can. until then, explain that they are both equally responsible for the entire rent regardless of which one is not pulling their own weight. So they both can potentially be evicted for not having the full rent even if one pays his share on time. Just another way of saying roommates need to handle it themselves, but stating the obvious, the roommate needs to tell the non-paying one they can't live there anymore.

Brent Coombs · Answer

Nope. I don't. Any idea that might help him - might hurt you! (But, do I stand to be corrected?)...