How to Rent to Roommates

Renting to two or more people, i.e., roommates means taking extra precautions to protect your rental. You want to make sure that if one moves out and the other stays that you still are able to control your property. Here are some tips on how to rent to roommates.

Instructions

1. Just because two people come to you to rent your property does not mean you only need one rental agreement. You should have a duplicate of each and every piece of paper that you would normally be giving one renter.

2. Deposits can be tricky as the whole deposit may come from one roommate. Notify your renters that you will not give a partial deposit if one moves out and the other remains. They will have to work that out between themselves and you only give a deposit when the property has been vacated completely and left clean.

3. Let your roommates know that if one moves out and another moves in that you will need to meet with the roommate moving out, and they will need to give a 30-day notice. If you like, you can also ask to do an inspection of the property and note it in your paperwork when the roommate moved out and the condition the property was left.

4. It is your property and you have every right to okay whomever is moving in. Have the new roommate fill out an application and check them out before they move in.

5. If a new roommate has moved in without your prior permission, get their information on an application as soon as possible. If they meet your approval then put their name on a rental agreement. Letting tenants live there that have not signed a rental contract can be detrimental to your property.

6. If a roommate moves in and they are a problem and will not sign a rental agreement, then give your tenant a 3-day notice to quit to the original tenant.