Couple breaking up, both on the lease

Couple breaking up, both on the lease

Member since 2018 · 65 posts · 31 votes

I have a couple renting one of my units.  They are both on the lease and have been together for years but are now breaking up.  The female wants the guy to leave and to be kicked off the lease (the lease is now month to month).  She says that he isn't paying his share anymore.  

We can't prove anything from our angle and she is always the one who calls us.  The guy seems to have some sort of anxiety, as he got really upset when we moved them out for two days to fix something with the house to satisfy the county (at our expense, of course).  She said that he won't talk to us on the phone, but since she's the conduit, she could be full of it.  

The couple have been good renters and have not caused any problems.  I was reading up on what to do with a roommate who refuses to pay their share and one of the steps is to go to the landlord.  But, I don't feel like we should get involved in any of this and simply continue to collect rent and tell them to work it out amongst themselves, since we can't prove anything one way or the other.


Anyone have any thoughts on the subject, or experience?

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  • Property Manager · San Diego, CA · Member since 2024 · 65 posts · 42 votes
    2y

    I've had this exact scenario happen. I told them to figure it out and let me know who was staying. The wife stayed, husband moved out. Once he was gone, I wrote her up a new lease, and she has been a great tenant for about 5 years now.

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    2y

    I agree with Michelle on the assumption that individually they both meet your screening criteria.  If one of them (or both) don't meet your screening criteria, then tell them they need to break the lease and move.

  • Member since 2018 · 65 posts · 31 votes
    2y

    Thanks for all the advice!  In the end they worked it out amongst themselves.  Of course, there is a good chance this will flare up again and I'll need to put your advice into practice!

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