Question about # of people on a lease & other lease Questions?

Question

I'm moving into an apartment in a few days. There will be 4 of us in the apartment. It's a 3 bedroom & one guy will be sharing a room with his girlfriend. 3 of us are on the lease but the girlfriend isn't. Can she legally stay in the apartment without being on the lease? Granted she is intending to be added to the lease once we move in but that's not a guarantee.

Plus the boyfriend is now saying he wants to split the rent 3 way so that he & his girlfriend pay for 1/3 of the rent, while i pay 1/3 & the other guy pays 1/3. Granted he is sharing a room but i will also be sharing a bathroom with the couple (2 bathroom apartment).

Answer 1

Shared lease agreements usually end up as nightmares.  When you get involved in such, it is advisable to put all rules up front, BEFORE you engage in such a rental.  The landlord doesn't care how you manage your shared premises.  He is only concerned with being paid on time.

The financials between the assorted tenants is their own issue.  Generally speaking, landlords will require anyone over the legal age (usuall'y 18) to be signatories to the lease agreement.  If the GF is not on the lease, she can be considered a 'casual guest' and booted out if she overstays.

In your situation, I would demand that she be added to the lease, and that she and her BF pay costs based upon them each being equal tenants.  You should not have to allow her to stay completely free.  She and her BF are not one person.  They are TWO, and should pay the equal shares of two living in the unit.

Answer 2

You better talk to your landlord or apartment manager. They may have requirements that all adult tenants be on the lease. If so and you just have the girlfriend move in, that may be a violation of the lease and you could all get evicted.

Regarding the couple paying the same as an individual, I think it would be fair if they paid like 40%, while the two individuals pay 30% each. Something that at least acknowledges that, while they are only taking up one room between them, they are using more of the facilities than the individuals.

Answer 3

no and no .. not being on the lease but living there is against apartment rules.  read your signed lease.  it will tell you.. also, generally the rule is 2 people to a room so you guys should be ok on that.. NOW, the rent .. tell them h**l no that the rent should be split 4 ways NOT three .. there are 4 people there and should be divided as such.  they are not one person, they are two .. living there.  if you split it only three ways, guess who gets to live in your apartment with you for free rent?  the girlfriend but hey ... its your choice.