Boyfriend wants to sign lease himself, not to include girlfriend.

[Linda Roberts]

Hi,

I have a nice couple of boyfriend / girlfriend. He has a sufficient income to rent an apartment and wants to rent himself with only his name on the lease. She is a student. I don't know her income. Should I proceed with him only, or both should be on the lease? Are there any problems by having only one person on the lease?

[Matt Devincenzo]

Being a tenant and an occupant aren't the same thing. You can write the lease in his name and have him sign, but include her as an occupant similar to if he had a teenage child. It just means he is the only one responsible for the lease, but she is allowed to stay there without violating the guest section.