One tenant wants to leave, one wants to stay - what are my rights

[Connor Riley]

Hi BP community!  I'm looking for some advise - I'll try to keep it simple and spare you the details.  

One of my properties in Denver, Colorado has two tenants (two 25 year old friends) both on one lease.  Tenant-1 told me in February that he quit his job (prior to the whole COVID-19 issue).  Now he can't find a job.  I am being told by Tenant-2 that Tenant-1 has moved back in with his parents (out of state) and he expects to quit paying rent starting in May and he is expecting his full security deposit back.  Tenant-2 wants to stay in the house and finish out the lease (which is only a few more months) but he can only afford half the rent payment.  

I suggested that they find someone to sublet for the remainder of the lease OR I would be willing to start a new year long lease with Tenant-1 and someone new.  Tenant-1 only wants to finish out the lease (not start a new lease), he doesn't think he can find a subleaser for the last few months, and on top of that he "didn't sign up to live with a random roommate".

I'm trying to be sympathetic with the COVID situation but I'm not sure what to do.  Any adivce?

Thanks in advance! 

[Bill S.]

@Connor Riley they are both in this together. You need to communicate that to BOTH of them. You should copy both on all correspondence. I agree about letting them out of the lease and finding someone else but ultimately they both are on the hook (in Colorado everyone who signs the lease is responsible in full). Take a firm stand. Ask them how they want to solve their problem. This is their problem. While it may impact you and you need to take control ultimately it will haunt both of them unless they make you whole. Give them options to solve their problem and make it very clear it's their problem. You can work with them but they need to own their problem.