Removing a Tenant from a Lease Urgently (While Roommates Stay)

[Jonathan Rivette]

Hi, 

I have a house with a husband and wife and two grandparents. The husband is moving out (and unfortunately getting a divorce) while the remaining family members will stay and carry out the remainder of the lease. 

I have a lease amendment form that I can fill and have each tenant sign to take the husband off the lease. What considerations I should take moving forward? For example, effective dates - I understand their situation is getting ugly and the husband is not staying in the house currently. The remaining family members are asking for the lease amendment ASAP while the husband has asked for three more days to move out his belongings. I assume it's customary to have the effective date 30 days later for a courtesy period of transition, unless both parties agree with an immediate effective date(?). 

Any advice on how to go about this appropriately and things to account for? I want to do this in the right way without getting involved in the tenant's personal issues.

[Zachary Ware]

If both parties agree to an amendment ending the husband's residency, I would go ahead with this date even if it is less than 30 days. Just have the husband send you an email/letter stating they would like to end their residency on X date.