Doing so without the consent of the other leaseholder could create legal exposure and potential Fair Housing issues.How we typically handle this:Acknowledge the request professionally and neutrally (no assumptions about the relationship or situation).Explain that the lease cannot be modified unless all named tenants agree in writing.Let the tenant know there are only a few paths forward:Both tenants submit a written request to remove one party (subject to owner approval and re-qualification).One party vacates, but both tenants remain financially responsible until lease end or a formal lease amendment is executed.Early termination, if allowed under the lease, following the lease terms.Until one of those happens, the lease remains fully enforceable as written through August 2026.We’re careful not to get involved in personal disputes or make judgments we stick strictly to the lease and apply the same process consistently across all tenants to stay compliant with Fair Housing laws.This is one of those situations where being clear, consistent, and documentation-driven protects both the owner and the tenant.

Yes — 5% down on an owner-occupied 2–4 unit can be possible, but it’s not as widely offered as people think and it’s very guideline-dependent.A few points that usually explain the confusion:Many lenders will do 5% down on 1-unit but require higher down payment on 2–4 units (often 15–25%) depending on the conventional program, unit count, and the borrower profile.Some lenders simply don’t have the product appetite for 2–4 unit owner-occupied, even if it’s technically allowed under certain guidelines.Expect tighter overlays: reserves, DTI, rental income treatment, condition requirements, and sometimes LLPA hits that make it less attractive for the lender to offer.If you’re house hacking, the most common low-down paths I see people actually close are:FHA (especially on 2–4 units) if you can tolerate MI and the appraisal/condition standardsConventional options with higher down (varies lender-to-lender)If you want, share the unit count (2/3/4), target price range, and whether you’re trying to use projected rents to qualify.

Household2 adults (married couple)No smokingNo evictionsLarge dog (Airedale)CreditApplicant credit score: 682Recent dip explained by medical expenses (dog surgeries) causing higher utilizationPreviously mid-700sIncome / EmploymentPrimary applicant has multiple income streams: self-employed (Etsy), yoga instructor, Shipt, UberHusband currently not working due to immigration status (Australian, awaiting work permit)Income is somewhat non-traditional but diversifiedMother is willing to co-sign and would meet income requirementsProperty ConsiderationsHome has hardwood floorsConcern about potential wear from large dogPlanning pet addendum, deposit/pet rent, and move-in documentationMy Current ThinkingConsidering approval with conditions:Verified income and credit for co-signerSigned guarantor agreementPet addendum + deposit or pet rentStandard lease termWould you move forward with this tenant?

Explain how you do things - leases, marketing for leases, general operations & structure - how y’all do inspections & if included in your fees, what you will provide on an ongoing basis (platform reports, placeholder for tenants to call & submit maintenance requests, take payments, handle communications, late payments, occasional drive by’s to check on place, handle evictions, move ins & outs, turnovers & make ready’s).

I'll explain how I made this work later today when I have a little more time.

You want someone who knows the local rental neighborhoods well, can explain why one area rents better than another, and is honest if a deal doesn’t make sense instead of trying to push you into something.

@Andrew Steffens I disagree. please explain how an owner can lose money on a triple net lease property where the lease terms state the terms of the 30 year lease in terms of fixed income. 

Explain the strategies and numbers at a 5th grade level.

I also explained to them multiple times, I save money by being both the contractor and investor on my projects.

A good deal is one that still works when you are wrong on a few things, not just when the spreadsheet is perfect, and your 150k plus 50k to a 260k value example is a solid way to explain it.