Tenant wants his brother to move in

[Nicole Heasley Beitenman]

A young couple is applying to rent my investment property. One of them asked if their brother could also live there. We don't have a problem with that, but we obviously would like him to be contractually obligated to follow the rules of the lease even if he isn't financially obligated to pay rent to me. We also want to do a background check on them. Is there anything else we're overlooking, and has anyone ever dealt with a similar arrangement? 

TIA!

[Kyle J.]

Screen every applicant who is over 18 and who is going to be living there. If approved, put them on the lease too so you have one more person to hold accountable if rent is ever not paid or there is any damage done to the property. 

Also, make sure your lease clearly states they’re all “jointly and severally liable” for the rent so you don’t have to get involved in any tenant drama about who paid their share and who didn’t. All you’re concerned with is that you receive the total rent due each month, regardless of which one of them actually pays it.