4 people -4 lease agreements

[Tony Karns]

Hey BP, I am about to lease my first rental property and I have 4 roommates that have applied. I have a few question about the process moving forward. (yes background checks are in the works)

Do I need 4 separate lease agreements?

Does the lease need to designate someone responsible for the rent/deposit?

Does a designee need to be assigned for Utilities?

[Mike McCarthy]

I agree with @James Wise. You want one lease that states the tenants are ‘jointly and severably liable’ for all terms in the lease.

I let them decide who pays what, as long as the total is paid each month on time. If not, they are all receiving the eviction notice.

There will be some drama - but stay out of it. They’ll figure it out.

But do be cautious, some/many cities have ordinances allowing no more than 3 unrelated people in a rental. It caught me by surprise - it’s not covered in the landlord tenant laws for Philly, actually in the zoning laws. Apparently, it’s a thing.