Lease for a roommate??????

Question

My sister and I lease a house. We are looking to rent the 3rd room out in the house. We would prefer that we remain the only signers on the lease. We would however like the new roommate to sign a 6 month sublease. Just something simple that says she must give 30-day notice, acknowledges her deposit, etc. My current lease says no subletting but my landlord said that she would allow subletting & would just have to sign a lease addendum giving us permission.

I think I can easily draft something out but here is my concern. My landlord is out of town until the 21st & I have no way of getting ahold of her before then. We found a great girl who wants to move in on the 26th. She wants to come by & sign a sublease this wknd. Is it even legal without the lease addendum signed first?? Should I just go ahead & have her sign something & worry about speaking to my landlord about it later??? Any advice would be helpful.

Answer 1

I would allow the move-in on the 26th and have the paperwork done later.  Just do a letter of understanding that the lease will be signed when the owner returns and you can get her permission down on paper.  I see nothing wrong since she already verbally agreed to giving permission.  Sounds like the owner will be back in town on the 21st.  I don't see a problem.

Answer 2

Have her sign something with you at least.  There is nothing in the lease that says you can't have guests over, so consider her a guest until your landlord gets back.