Quote from @Rick Albert:
Quote from @Chris Park:
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
Quote from @Chris Park:
Whoever gave you that advice was wrong. Every adult residing in your rental should apply, be approved by you, and sign the lease. That's non-negotiable. If you don't screen them, then you don't know what kind of risk they present. You can't hold them accountable to the terms if they aren't on the lease.
I would remove all of them from the rental and start fresh.
So basically I'm at risk of the tenant damaging my property and not having a way of going after her because she is not signed to the lease. I did run a light background and employment check, she checks out. I'll add to the lease I guess?
You are at risk of a few things:
1. More unnecessary damage. Yes, you have a deposit, but it may not be enough.
2. Higher maintenance cost. Are you paying for utilities? If so, you are paying extra.
3. Squatters. They aren't on the lease and it needs to be clear that they are guest.
I wouldn't add them to the lease, I would want them out. Have a guest policy in place and stick to it. Why add more people and not charge more for it?
Exactly, your last point about having more people on the lease (more foot traffic, higher utilities, wear & tear etc). That's what annoys me the most but I'm having a hard time finding someone that doesn't move someone in within 6-12 months of the lease
For next time, it would be legal if I added some language into the lease that said adding a tenant would add $500/month to the lease?
