Any advice renting a SFH to roommates in Dearborn Michigan

[Ibrahim Mawri]

Hi everyone,

I have just screened two roommates and there is no reason not to move forward to leasing other than I have never rented my properties (all SFHs) to roommates before. My tenants have always been either a family or just couples. I googled my state "Michigan" for law restrictions but could not find any. Any advice from anyone who has more info/advice/tips about this situations is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

[Stephen J Davis]

I have never had a problem with roommates but I take precautions. Screen them both and have both of them sign the lease. I would collect a security deposit and first and last months rent as a rule. 

[Steven Foster Wilson]

Originally posted by @Ibrahim Mawri:

Hi everyone,

I have just screened two roommates and there is no reason not to move forward to leasing other than I have never rented my properties (all SFHs) to roommates before. My tenants have always been either a family or just couples. I googled my state "Michigan" for law restrictions but could not find any. Any advice from anyone who has more info/advice/tips about this situations is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

I have also done this and it turned out just fine. You want to work out potential problems before move in though. For example spell out what will happen if one person does not keep common areas clean, I would say that its up to the tenants to work it out amongst themselves.

Also who will buy soap, toilet paper ext.. Its okay to put it back on the tenants, just make sure you get them thinking about it.

[Michael Robbins]

I would include a "roommate addendum" in your lease.  This addendum will go over the process if one roommate decides they want to move and the other stay.  For example, here in Las Vegas my addendum stipulates first that all leaseholders are jointly and severally liable.  It also states that if one roommate wants to leave:  (1)  remaining roommate must re-qualify on his or her own or (2) a new roommate must qualify before the old roommate is released from the lease.  

[Ibrahim Mawri]

Thank you all for the info