current tenant wants to move in a girlfriend...I need advice...

[Cathy T.]

He is an excellent tenant, and I want to keep him long term and happy. But he has a new girlfriend, and wants to move her in. She filled out an application and I did an online background/credit check. The good news is that she is not a terrorist, has no evictions, has no criminal history. The bad news is that she would never qualify financially...I can give details if anyone needs them, but for the moment let's just say that she is very young and has already done damage to her credit report, AND she was unemployed when she filled out the application. (I think she has part-time work now.)

I was going to have them sign a new lease, with her on it. But frankly I am wondering if that is to my benefit? Opinions, anyone? If it matters, this is a duplex in New Hampshire, and I live in the other half. Thank you.

[Fred Heller]

@Cathy T.

Add the girlfriend as an occupant but not a party to the lease. That way you'll have it in writing that she lives there, but the total financial responsibility for the lease lies with the boyfriend.

You can do this as an amendment to the current lease, or sign a new lease which would restart the clock on the lease term.