One tenant wants off of lease...

[Joshua Biondi]

Hello, everyone. I am fairly new to the land lording business and have a dilemma. I have two tenants in one of my properties who both signed a 6 month lease from March 1st to September 1st. One of the tenants just sent me a text message saying that she wants off of the lease as she will be moving out next week. Her uncle, the other tenant, has already expressed that he would like to renew the lease without her on it come this September, but I have not spoken to anyone regarding letting her off of the lease early. Should I ask her uncle if he is okay with her being removed from the lease one month early, or should I just inform her that she is required to stay on the lease for the remaining month until the lease ends? I'm not required to let her off of the lease am I? I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

[Thomas S.]

If both tenants are on the same lease let them work it out between them. It is not your problem as long as you receive the entire rent.

Assuming they are each paying you separately in the future when you have multiple tenants on the same lease you make each fully  responsible for the entire rent and you receive one payment. How they work that out among themselves is irrelevant. This way when one leaves it never impacts your rent payment.