Should all adults named on lease have to apply and qualify?

Question

Do all tenants going on the lease need apply and meet qualification standards?

Matthew Irish-Jones · Answer

@Justin Youngblood you should screen everyone that gets added to your lease. If they are 18 or older they should be on the lease, and should be screened. A tad more expensive but... well worth it, and a best business practice.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

All tenants must apply. At a minimum, you need to verify their identity and their criminal record.

I generally combine their income to meet my standard of 3x the rent but if there are three or more unrelated people renting together than I require each individual to make a minimum 2x the rent.

Matt Fisher · Answer

@Anthony Wick If you and your family moved into one of my homes, you, your wife and your daughter will fill out an application form. If we accepted you, I'd refund that cost.

Each of you is a legally consenting adult. I want every consenting adult that lives there to be responsible for what happens there and responsible for those that are invited on the premises. I'm strict as hell and it serves me well. Nobody can pass the buck, everyone's responsible and accountable, and I'm not overlooking a child that's a nuisance to society and will wreck my asset.

It's difficult to enforce tag-along boyfriends/girlfriends, family, 'babysitters' etc. But I ask and ask a lot.

John Teachout · Answer

We require everyone over 18 to complete an application. (even if they're children of the primary tenants.)

Scott P. · Answer

My paperwork says that anyone over 18 must apply and sign the lease also. My concern is damage and changes of tenants. I want to be sure anyone over 18 is responsible for their damage.

Looking bad though, it's never mattered on any issue except when there's been a separation or change of unmarried tenants. Then I have to deal with name changes and deposit refund issues. It's never mattered for damages though.

Anthony Wick · Answer

@Matt Fisher

Wouldn’t your lease cover guests and/or the kids having a party, with the persons on the lease being responsible? I have a daughter that is in high school, just turned 18. Would you have her pay the screening fee and list her as a responsible party on the lease? Personal choice, but I don’t do that.

Matt Fisher · Answer

All adults. If the kids have a party and destroy the house and the parents say they aren't at fault, you have a serious issue on your hands!Matt

Cassi Justiz · Answer

I used to say everyone 18 and over every time. But I do have an exception for adult children that live with their parents.

For individuals. Everyone has to apply and qualify.

For young adults that have always lived with their parents, I'm going to do a social media search, court docket, violent/sex offender search. But I'm not going to charge them an application fee or run a full credit/background check on them as long as the parents qualify without their income. If they are counting the income of the adult children then the adult children also have to apply and qualify.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Id say this depends a lot on the asset class. C/D properties...yes Id suggest that. A/B+, I just screen 1 person. B, can go either way.

Tracy Minick · Answer

Yes, 100%! All persons over the age of 18 must apply and be on the lease!

Leases are sole and several.

Should all adults named on lease have to apply and qualify?

Should all adults named on lease have to apply and qualify?

Most Popular Reply

16 Replies