Tenant wants to remove ex from lease

[Brennan Hile]

New landlord trying to learn the ropes.

I have a unit that has two people on the lease. They split and one tenant is wanting the other removed from the lease and the locks changed.

How have you handled this in the past?

My first instinct would be some type of written request from one tenant asking to end the lease and then sign a new one with other tenant only.

Thanks!

[Nathan Gesner]

Get it in writing, signed by all parties.

I have a simple one-page document that essentially says Tenant A is leaving and Tenant B is staying. Tenant A forfeits all rights to the property and the deposit. If any portion of the deposit belongs to Tenant A, they will have to work that out with Tenant B. Tenant B understands they are 100% responsible for the terms of the lease and condition of the property. If there are damages that Tenant A is responsible for, Tenant B will have to work that out with Tenant A.

I also charge my tenants money for this. I charge them any time they want to change the terms of the lease.