Tenant wants a roommate, new lease?

[Tom R.]

My tenant has asked to get a roommate. I'm OK with it but I said the new roommate would have to pass the same background checks she did. My question is when I approve the new tenant and we sign a modified lease do I restart the term of the lease?

[Nathan Gesner]

Just hand-write a simple clause adding the new tenant to the existing lease:

I have a specific form for adding or removing a tenant that spells out some key points tenants may not think of, like joint and severability or security deposit refund. I also charge a $50 fee to add a tenant or remove a tenant which covers the additional work in my office and cuts down on the number of tenants moving in or out.