Tenant's Girlfriend and Son Moving In!?!

[Lee Lockhart]

Hi, My Tenant informed me his girlfriend and her child is moving in. He is halfway through his lease. I'm going to collect their information and add to the lease. Currently, he is paying a discounted price for rent based on him alone. Can I increase the rent since its 2 extra people in my property? Its a two bedroom two bathroom apartment... What other issues should I take into account? Thanks. L.

[James Wise]

Originally posted by @Lee Lockhart:

Hi, My Tenant informed me his girlfriend and her child is moving in. He is halfway through his lease. I'm going to collect their information and add to the lease. Currently, he is paying a discounted price for rent based on him alone. Can I increase the rent since its 2 extra people in my property? Its a two bedroom two bathroom apartment... What other issues should I take into account?

Thanks. L.

 You could take a hard line approach and run the girlfriend. If you don't like what you see I suppose you could deny her however he'd probably get pissed and just move her in anyway or tell you to F off and move out himself. 

If he's been a good paying tenant for the last 6 months and he went and told you they are moving in there is no reason for you to stir the pot here. Let her move in and keep cashing those rent checks. Landlords need to make moves when tenants do things that causes the checks not to come. When they are coming in, let things be. Your job is to collect their rent in exchange for safe and habitable housing, nothing more. Never a good idea micromanage or even pay attention to how they live their life. Just cash your checks.

As for an up charge due to the additional occupants; charging additional rent for his girlfriend & child would fall under familial discrimination.