Handling Tenants that Break UP and 1 individual moves out???

[Cassidy Burns]

Hi BP,

Curious how others handle this situation? 

Tenant A was the main point of contact and main individual who made rent payments, communication, etc.  Tenant B lived in the house and was on the lease as well.  Tenant A now has moved out and is trying to put all responsibilities on Tenant B and is wanting to be taken off of the lease.  Lease is up September 1st. 

Thoughts on best way to handle this? 

Thank you in advance!

[Stephen Glover]

@Cassidy Burns They are both equally responsible on lease.  Tenant A cannot leave the lease even if they physically leave the property.  You could allow Tenant B to stay but only after they go through the screening process to see if they qualify on their own.  If they do not qualify on their own, you're back to square one.  If Tenant B finds another roommate that qualifies, then that's the only way Tenant A is removed from the lease. Otherwise, they are breaking the lease and if rent doesn't come in you'll start the eviction process.

Another more viable option is to agree that they both leave and are responsible for rent/utilities until a new tenant is placed.  You charge the tenant the leasing fee and get it rented to qualified tenants.

Throughout this process, there is a fee for your time, typically a lease administration fee or a re-leasing fee which should be in your lease.

Hopefully one of these options work for you.  We've done a variety of all of these, whatever ends up working.