Changing lease because of couple dispute?

[Anthony Calvano]

Hi guys any thoughts and advice here?  I just heard from one tenant that the girlfriend is in jail after attacking him. The lease is under both of their names and he is not wanting her there anymore.  They have a young child and he is claiming she is not stable.  He is the one that pays the rent as well.  From my standpoint I feel like it is a matter for the cops and child services and that he should keep me in the loop, but I'm wondering if she comes asking as she was the one that set up the lease and even got the money from him to make payment.  I'm not sure if there is anything else I should or could be doing as the landlord.  Thanks!

[Patricia Steiner]

The court order is between those two parties; it has nothing to do with your lease.  Don't change the lease; it's a contractual obligation that both parties remain liable under.  Any relationship issues - legal and otherwise - are outside the scope of the lease so leave it with them.  And, if the evicted party returns to the property and wants in, you cannot prohibit her if she is on the lease from entering.  Let the parties work it out with the court, the police, and each other.

Isn't it nice to be able dodge something for a change?!!!