Sticky Tenant Situation Could Use Some Guidance

[George White]

I have a mother-daughter roommate situation in one of my units. They moved in about 4 months ago on a year-long lease. The mother has a very spotty background and no credit however the daughter is a college student with little credit and no background issues. Both are working. I approved them based on the fact that they were related and I figured together they knew each other and could work it out.  I would not have approved the mother on her own. The daughter contacted me to tell me her mom is having issues coming up with the rent and that she doesnt want to live in the unit with her mom anymore based on her mom using her to pay rent and struggling to come up with the rent. I explained to her how the process would work and that she would need to find another tenant that I approve to take her place on the lease. The daughter is moving out of state next month and is actively working to find another roommate to take her place on the lease. She has since sent me a couple leads that I am currently vetting.

My issue is I don't want to bring someone into the unit unknowing about the potential issue of the mom not coming up with her half of the rent. If the mom doesnt pay rent but the new roommate pays their half, I would need to evict both... That doesn't seem fair. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach this situation?

[Matt Devincenzo]

It sounds like you're trying to preserve this 'existing' lease instead of allowing the daughter's life change to terminate the lease and start fresh with a new tenant. You should simply tell both of them that you will allow them to terminate the lease and move out and will re-rent it. Personally I would even waive any termination fee etc because I can see that trying to force this to perform will result in more grief and costs than just moving on will. Then you can start fresh with a new tenant, and have learned something for screening next time.