Good tenant with bad partner

[Rafael Norat]

I have a good, qualified tenant who has her husband wanting to move in. Her husband however has a criminal past and does not pass our screening process. She has recently moved in about 3 month ago. How would you address? My initial thoughts are to tell her he does not qualify and is not allowed to move in. But how can I really enforce in the long run? She can simply say ok and have him there quietly. Any thoughts here? 1 year lease. Thanks. Rafael

[Andrew Kerr]

@Rafael Norat - this always can be a problem. You have one great tenant and they get a partner/significant other that causes problems. 

I also put a guest policy in my leases that says someone can't stay for more than 5 days, so if they let someone move in without qualifying they would be in violation of the lease. But the fact that they are married seems like a very sticky situation. 

I am more curious why the husband is trying to move in now after three months? Is he in the military and was deployed? Did he just get out of jail? Were they separated and now trying to make it work?

If you think he will be a problem, perhaps you can require an increased security deposit (check with local laws to see what is allowed). Or you simply say he doesn't qualify and can't move in. Then you offer the tenant to break the lease at no charge.