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When renting to 2 or 3 roommates living in one house, who should sign the lease? All, the one who wants to be responsible for payments (agreement between them), or the one who has the best credit/job/references in the LL's opinion?
In the event of lack of payment, should the LL contact only the one who signed the lease as a payer, even if others are listed as residents as well?
If I was a landlord I would require each person that is to be living there to be on the lease and do an appropriate background/credit check on all potential occupants. The lease would also state that the apartment is to be occupied by X, X and X only.
You will get sob stories from the sole person on the lease if one of the roommates moves out and the remaining two cannot pay the full rent. Having them all on the lease will allow you to go after all occupants legally if they don't pay.
Most of the leases I've seen have required all roommates be on the lease. Then again I'm a student in a "college town" area, so that may have something to do with it.
All adults have the credit run, submit proof of income, references are checked if possible, and all are on the lease. Be sure they understand that each one of them is 100% responsible for every term of that lease. Be sure that you have a clause about no subletting. Change of roommates, we don't mind but the new one has to jump thru the same hoops and is then added to the lease by addendum. None are removed if one simply chooses to leave for whatever reason although you could do that by addendum as well. If this happens be sure to have the deposit refund issue covered. (in writing)
In any lease, all parties are listed as tenants with a clause that each tenant is jointly and severably responsible for the total rent. That prevents the leader leaving and those left behind saying they only owe a portion of the rent. I also state only those listed on the lease can live in the residence. That prevents boy or girl friends taking up residence in the unit.
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