One of 3 tenants lost job - options?

[Ryan King]

I'm renting out the other side of my duplex and there are 3 people on the lease. One of them just called and said he can't afford rent due to job loss and will be moving out. He said he's looking for a sub-lease already. What are my options (I'm a total noob!)? I'm guessing I should tell him (and the other 2) that I'm still expecting full rent so either they can figure out between the 3 of them how to pay it from now on or allow him to find a sub-leaser who will sign a lease with me and pay his portion of the rent each month. Right?

Or should I make it easier and just accept 2/3 rent and not risk getting into a weird situation with a random 3rd person causing issues with the other 2?

Thanks for any help!

[Nicole A.]

Read over your lease. It possibly/probably states that it is "joint and several liability in the case of multiple Tenants."
This means that everyone is responsible no matter what. You don't care how they divide up the rent. That is their business.

Also, what does your lease say about subletting?? Does it allow it? And you need to have the final say in who this person replacing the one tenant is. If your lease allows it, I would suggest you change your template for future usage to say it is NOT allowed.

Basically, this is their problem. Don't let them try to make it your problem. If they are late, you file for whatever the first step of eviction is quickly. Don't give them "another week to pay." You'll waste time. File, and if they pay, you can cancel the eviction.

If one person moves out, same deal. It doesn't matter. Physically there or not, they're on the lease.