This keeps you out of their drama.

And, the difficult tenants are more quickly gotten rid of, when you do month to month agreements.But, I'd say, that no matter how great you are at screening, 2% of high-maintenance PITA tenants will still squeak through your great screening.And the worst things they ever did was let some insane BF/GF move in and create crazy drama, or sneak in a pet rabbit.  

There is just to much drama going on here.

Not to sound harsh but if he truly is "going to die soon" perhaps it is better that you do nothing it terms of "getting rid of them" now. 

Because people who are into drama, will always have it in their lives, and will try to suck you into it, too.This is what the saying "misery loves company" means.  

But, charge a higher rent for the privilege of doing so, with the extra benefit of no extra drama for you.It's not about being benevolent to people who want to buy a home, blah blah - that's not your job - to care about doing them favors because they want to buy a home.  

I agree that this job does have a positive side to it but I am continually amazed at all the drama that living in tight quarters produces. 

These guys are really high risk as far as dependable income for the term of the lease, and in the drama department, too.So, deny them based on the fact that you've asked repeatedly for the BF's info, and he has not supplied it.  

Co-signers do not guarantee problem-free tenants.They only give you someone else to sue - after the drama and damage.So, if her reason for having her son on the lease is a co-signer, I strongly suggest you say no, if she can't qualify on her own.If she wants him to have the ability to come and go as he pleases, then he has to be vetted.And honestly, I highly suggest month to month agreements, so you can kick anyone out if there is any type of problem, especially for landlords who aren't experienced yet.  

They don't remove the conflict but they do lessen the drama.