Disrupting a Good Tenant

[Account Closed]

I have a somewhat easy, but worthwhile question. I have a tenant that has paid like clockwork since beginning a two year lease in March. In my lease agreement it requires the tenant to notify me of any adults that move in and they're required to get on the lease and pay another $100/month. I saw that this tenant got married in July, so naturally the spouse has to be living in my property but I wasn't notified. Would you mess with it, being that the tenant has been low maintenance and paid really well so far. Or would you send a letter notifying them that they need to add the spouse to the lease and pay up.

Please advise,

[Matt Devincenzo]

I'd can the $100/mo for the extra adult. That can run you into discriminatory territory for "familial status". The homes rent level is determined by the property not the people living in it.

For the spouse I'd send a nice, "hey I know you got married recently and know how hectic it can get sometimes but all adults need to be on the lease, so here's a lease addendum and I need her info as well". Sign the addendum with her on it and proceed on.