Having trouble to collect rent from tenants.

[Ally Gao]

Dear BP members, 

I am new investor in TX. I got my first duplex last year with tenants occupied. One of the units had a couple, both were students. They broke up a few months ago, and the girl moved out without notifying me. The boy is still living in the unit. They both signed the lease. So the girl has been paying the half of the rent for the last two months. But from this month, she didn't want to pay her half anymore. They didn't come to an agreement as how to split the rent otherwise. Their lease is due next May. I agreed to let them go by the beginning of next year. Should I let them leave this month and keep the deposit as they broke the contract? Or is there a better way to solve it? 

I would greatly appreciate your advise!

Thanks,

Qi

 

[Cameron Tope]

@Ally Gao I've seen this many times with our student rentals in Ohio. To prevent the issue from arising we emphasize the "joint and severally liable" clause in the lease, which means all the tenants are collectively responsible for the lease. 

If you don't have this clause in your lease, then you might want to speak with a local lease agent or attorney to draft your leases for your student rentals. 

Best of luck!