Refusing to Rent to Someone

[Tasha C]

14 months ago I had 2 twenty-something males move into a 2 bedroom unit. 1 had a good job and was financially more secure than the other.

But the 2nd guy was working multiple jobs, communicative and responsible, despite sometimes being late on his half of the rent or requesting to use security deposit towards rent. I still liked him and was happy to work with him.

Then about 6 months into the lease, the 2nd guys mom moves in with them. I never said anything about adding a 3rd person because that was their situation to work out and I figured it was not ideal for anyone in that group, there must be some desperate times at hand.

Well guy #1 moved out at 12 months, leaving guy #2 and his mom living there.

Guy #2 said he is moving out in 60 days, this was his notice. Fine with me, I'll be prepared to find a new tenant.

Then, last week, guy #2 says his mom wants to keep living there and take over the lease. "She'll find a roomate or something."

I initially thought it was ok, but have kind of a "feeling of doom" about leasing to the mom. I get the feeling she cannot afford the place. I get the feeling she cannot afford very much in the area and this is kind of an only option for her. Her son said he will leave the security deposit for her to use.

On the plus side, my husband went in there once a few weeks ago and said the place is very clean.

But my husband and I have tentatively agreed we would rather not lease to the mom and save ourselves the potential hassle of trying to collect rent every month.

I have to be the one to break the news to them. I know she was never on the lease, so I dont owe anything to her legally...but on a human level, I feel horrible.

This started out as a question asking advice for how to best phrase this conversation...but there is no good way to tell someone that they need to find a new place to live.