Should I make the boyfriend sign the lease?

Question

I have a four plex one of my tenants I believe moved her boyfriend in. His car is there a lot and he will come and go while she is at work. My question is should I ask and have him sign a lease or should it even be a concern? ￼

Chris Herrera · Answer

@Teddy Black if he moved in then yes. You need to know who is in your building. What if something happened to her and he decided to keep living there? You would have a squatter on your hands because you don’t have any legal paperwork with the boyfriend

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

Absolutely have him apply, screen him including credit and background-social media too-and if he passes get him on the lease. We charge 100.00 additional monthly to add a person on. Make him financially responsible just like her.

David M. · Answer

@Teddy Black

Personally, I don't really care.  Your tenant is your tenant.  Your tenant's friends are their friends.  Unless there is something in the lease against having a significant other, what's the big deal.  In some ways its better because you only have to worry about the one tenant, which you would have cleared anyway to rent from you.

I have a reverse story.  My tenant found a significant other.  That person started getting in between me and my tenant.  Well, I don't negotiate or take complaints with people who aren't my tenants.  Anyway, that tenant didn't renew.

Another story is a tenant who was going through a separation / reconcilation.  I was fine with the one tenant who showed could handle the tenancy solely.  I'm just a landlord.  What do I care if the spouse is there is there or not as long as they aren't fighting loudly or destroying the place.

Unless there is some law or regulation that states every adult "residing" in a residence must be on a lease, who cares?

Just my two cents.  Good luck.

Dylan Vargas · Answer

@Teddy Black Welcome! Yes! Find out about this person. We have a number of nights they are allowed to stay. What if he is a convicted pedohile or rapist? That would put other tenants at a higher risk. Always a good policy to know who is at your property. There could be a reason why he never applied with the girlfriend. I would not take any chance. If they have nothing to hide they will provide the info. One word of caution talk to the girlfriend (tenant) first and ask if she wants him on the lease. I have had tenants say "do not put him on lease" as things were not too good relationship wise. If you put the boyfriend on lease he has the same rights as the tenant. Good luck and keep us posted.

Chad Hale · Answer

In California, you want every adult on the lease who lives in the home.  This is important if things go south and you need to evict or take other actions.

Tanner Sherman · Answer

@Teddy Black in your lease you should have a clause regarding persons residing in the property not on the lease. It should say something to the effect of any person who stays at the residence on a regular or semi regular basis must be screened by the landlord and sign a lease.

John Teachout · Answer

Actually our lease does state that everyone over 18 in the residence has to complete an application. Even kids if they're that age.

Teddy Black · Answer

Thank y’all so much this is my first time and I appreciate the much needed advice

Should I make the boyfriend sign the lease?

Most Popular Reply