Should an adult sibling be added to lease?

[Sandy Uhlmann]

I have a tenant who is moving from out of state and would like to rent my 3 BR single family home.  The prospective tenant is moving with her daughter, her significant other as well as with her brother who is just over 18.  I ran a screening on all of the adults including the brother.  The tenant  (at her brother's request) is wanting to leave the brother off of the lease.  What is the general consensus about this and the pros and cons?

Thanks,

[Marcia Maynard]

If the brother is over the age of 18 and will be occupying the property, he should be made a party to the lease, as jointly and severally liable. It will be in his favor to be on the contract, as it will help him establish rental history.

He will be able to assume all rights of tenancy once he establishes residency. If at a future time he wants to move out and be removed from the lease, you can make an addendum that can easily remove him. That way he can avoid being held accountable for something the other residents do after he is long gone.