Multiple tenants

[Manoj N.]

I am signing my first lease with three unrelated tenants this Sunday. It will be a joint and several lease. I have a few questions. Thanks for your time.

1. Should I make three separate leases or just one ?

2. If three leases are made, should I divide the security deposit and rent by three and put those figures on individual leases ?

3. How do I make sure that everyone is responsible for the damage - even if it was caused by one tenant/pet ? Would the clause "joint and several" is enough ?

4. The lease starts on Oct 1st, and we sign the lease on this Sunday. One of the tenant is away and will send her lease/check by mail. Other two will give checks post dated to Oct 1st. Is this OK ?

Thanks

[Rob Beland]

I would suggest one lease with all three tenants signing joint and severally. Have them send one check monthly. It's up to them to have one person collect the rent from the other two and mail one check to you. the joint and several clause basically says that each of them is fully responsible for the lease. If one tenant loses their job the other two have to cover the entire rent. All three are responsible for any damage no matter who caused it. Make sure they all understand what they are signing and what you expect of them. For the first payment if it's easier to get three checks due to certain circumstances that should be fine. Make sure that going forward they pay you with one check every month. Good luck @Manoj N..