College rental with boyfriends spending many nights

[Patrick Donovan]

I have some new tenants living in my duplex and they are college girls. One of the girls has her boyfriend spending most nights with her. I don't mind it since they haven't caused any trouble at all yet ( Haven't even called me for anything yet), but I am wondering how you all handle this situation whether it be getting him on the lease or if there is an addendum I can make where he is a guest on the lease. I would like to find some way to make it where he is responsible for any trouble that he causes, but I wouldn't have to evict him if things got bad. I would like to know if this is even possible. Thank you all !

[Marcia Maynard]

If a tenant has a frequent overnight guest, the line begins to blur between guest and unauthorized occupant. I am not shy about asking if the guest has a residence elsewhere and even checking their driver's license to verify their address. I'm not on morality patrol, but I am concerned how the extra person's presence affects the other tenants and neighbors. Where is he parking, is he making himself too much "at home" and leaving personal items there, receiving mail at that address, has his own key, is there when the tenants are not, causes extra wear and tear, causes an uptick in utility usage, etc. 

I do emphasize to our tenants that it is the tenant's responsibility to make sure all guests abide by the terms of the rental agreement. Contrary to what you think, if he occupies the unit (with or without your consent), causes trouble and doesn't leave when you ask, you may need to evict everyone in the unit. That means he goes and so do the college girls. Hopefully it won't get to that. The best thing to do is to have a good rental agreement in place, communicate openly and honestly, and treat everyone with respect.