What’s everyone’s opinion on a subtenant?

Question

Peter M. · Answer

Thomas hit the nail on the head. Make sure she qualifies alone and screen him as well just maybe not as strictly in a financial sense as you would a single tenant. Make them pay in one payment. I would make her put down the deposit so you only would have to pay it back to her and you don't get into a sticky situation if he leaves. Or make them both put deposits down and if he leaves credit his deposit toward rent. Let them work out the money on their end.

Thomas S. · Answer

Does your potential tenant meet your screening qualifications as a single tenant. If their income is not high enough reject their application.

The fact is you are renting to two tenants not one. If they do not both agree to be on a term lease then put them both on a M2M lease. M2M leases are to the benefit of landlords. If one tenant leaves simply have the remaining tenant sign a new M2M lease.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

When tenants sub-lease or get roommates just to afford a rental, that's a big red flag. The most likely scenario is that the roommates won't get along and one of them will leave, which puts the remaining tenant in a financial bind because they can't afford it. They scramble to find a replacement and are often willing to lower their standards just to save some money. As the Landlord, you are likely to lower your standards just to keep the rent coming.

When I rent to three or more unrelated people, I actually have higher standards for each individual rather than letting them pool resources to afford something they otherwise couldn't.

What’s everyone’s opinion on a subtenant?

Most Popular Reply