I think we were caught off guard that this is a minor, she looks older, and it would be a legitimate "no" to modifying the lease if she were 18+.There is a clause about unauthorized occupants, but as I understand the law, it would not apply to minors of whom tenants gain custody, thus increasing family size, which is protected by law?

I'm now at the point where I have two applicants that can move in for July and I'm having a tough time choosing between two of them.Application 1 (3 related + 1 friend) - application was submitted first ProsPlenty of income to pay - 5x+2 with great credit (>700)work with a friend who gave a good reference1 attended the same religious institution i did so I'm less inclined to think they would mess up the unit which could be naive 1 year of rental history with no issues paying a fairly higher renthigh job security (family business)Conshigher chance of short term rental - I'm basing this on their young age and the fact they could easily decide to move out on their own2 with bad credit (<600)Young - early twentiesbasement will need to be used as an additional bedroompotential parking issues (4 cars)"kiddish" rooms would need to be repaintedApplication 2 (1 adult + 4 kids)Proshigher chance of long term rental (>3 years) - I say this because the last two locations this person stayed for 3 and 4 years only to leave when the houses were soldfit to the house - in that the rooms are decorated "kiddish" now and don't need to be modified at all ie. repainted, etc)paid same rent for over 7 years w/no issuesCons43% of income to rentBad credit (<600)  - I'm told this is the result of issues with the absentee parentI should also say i have a relative who is a lawyer involved in real estate so he's prepared my lease and helped me out with what can be done legally etc.

But we modified our 'giving people a chance' stance a little, based on our experience.

Your best and cheapest bet is to modify them as stated above with a 2x4 as they break.

This letter is available to download from the BP File Place and can be modified for your own use.  

However, at what point will the law be modified to go beyond this original intent to enact rent control (which is unconstitutional in our state).  

Modified the hvac, changed the locks.

People download a free lease from the internet, modify it themselves and think it will be legal in their state. 

If you make an offer that cuts into an agent's commission, it's no longer just an offer on said property - it's now an attempt to modify a contract to which you're not a party.

At least they're taking a step in the right direction.You could try calling the person (or committee chairman) in charge of setting this guideline and see if they are willing to modify it to what you think it should be.