Tenant Request to Move in Son's Family

[Dennis Hill]

Good morning BP Family,

I have leased my property to a couple who has now asked "how much would it cost us to move our son, his wife and their child in with us"?  I currently rent the property for $2,400/mo.  The property is located in MD.  My question is can I legally modify the lease to add the 2 additional adults and increase rent by $600/mo?  Appreciate any advise you all have to offer.  Thanks.

[Theresa Harris]

First I'd do the same screening on the son and his wife as you did on your current tenants because what happens if the original tenants move out and the son and his family do not? 

What is included in the rent?  If it is simply the house and the tenant pays all the utilities, I personally would not charge more because you are renting them the house-not based on how many people are living there.  If you are paying some of the utilities, then that is a different story as those costs will go up with more people living there.

If you do have them move in, add them to the lease and make it clear that if the original tenants move, the son and his family also have to move out.  I'd also find out if this is temporary (ie one of them lost their job and is looking for a new one) or if it is permanent (ie they are moving in so the parents can help take care of the kids while the parents work).