Leasing to an Unmarried Couple

[Rachel H.]

Hi everyone. I'll be renting out my house for the first time, starting next month. The tenants seem terrific and I don't have any reason to be concerned, but they are an unmarried couple and I'm wondering if I should have both of them submit applications, separately, and run separate background checks and credit reports, even if the man's income is more than sufficient and his background check and credit report came up clear and excellent. Should I list them both as "tenants" on the lease agreement, even if I'd be fine just renting to him as a tenant, and he's the one with the qualifying income, but she will clearly be living there with him the whole time? Thanks for your help!

[Linda Weygant]

All adults who will live in the property go through a background check and sign the lease.  No exceptions.  Be careful of discrimination based on family status or marital status.  Make everybody do the same and there will be no issues.