Changing Lease with only one of two tenants signatures

[Rachel Stump]

We have tenants who are a married couple. They have been late paying rent a few times, got a big dog when no pets allowed is stated in lease.  We offered to change the date rent is due from the first of the month to the second Saturday of the month to help them avoid late fees. We also made an offer to raise rent to keep the dog with a non-refundable deposit. Now the wife contacted me and said her husband can’t sign anything because he left for basic training without her knowing and will be gone for 10 weeks. He has always been the one communicating with me and now has switched to her with this story. We don’t think we can make changes to their lease, especially raising rent without both their signatures. Has anyone had a similar situation? How did you handle it? 

[John Teachout]

I think you're being fed a line of bullcrap. Time to play landlord and stop accommodating their inability to adhere to the contract. This is likely to get worse so start considering your options.