Should Adult Kids of Tenant Always Sign the Lease?

[Tricia O'Brien]

Hello! I'd like to know your opinions about if  unemployed young adults (ages 18 and 19) should always be required to sign a new lease with their parent? Or do you sometimes let the parent sign and list the adult children as occupants? I have an applicant who is a 38 year old single Mom with 3 kids - ages 14, 18, and 19.  The 18- and 19-year-old have no income currently.  Her gross income is 3.1x the rent.  

She knows the adult children have to do the background check and credit check and is okay with that.  

I've had applicants in the past like this where the Mom objected to me requiring that the adult kid had to sign the lease. 

Just wanted to know people's opinion about this in case I get pushback.  

It's a class C single family home in a class D neighborhood. 

I know it's in the landlord's best interest to have all adults sign as tenants.  But I'm wondering if that should be a deal breaker if they don't want to do that?

Thanks in advance! 

[Theresa Harris]

Have them sign it, but clearly state in the lease that if the mom leaves...all occupants including those named on the lease must move.