Tenants Sister Applying to Move In

[Joe Arida]

Hi all,

My tenants is looking to have a roommate move in with her. I am having the new roommate go through the usual application process (background/credit checks, application form). My question revolves around the security deposit:

• When I purchased the place, my tenants security deposit was credited to me towards the purchase price.
• Since my current tenant paid the full security deposit ~10 years ago, how do I handle the new roommate moving in?
  • Can I write an addendum that ensures the original security deposit applies to both of them and have them both sign it?
    • Or maybe this is overkill?
  • Should I talk with my current tenant and see if she wants me to give her half of the original deposit back to her, then collect the other half from the new roommate?

Or maybe it is fine to just leave it the way it is, I just want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly here...

Thank you!