[WA] [WA] What should I do if my tenant has a boyfriend who is not on the lease but is living there on and off?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand you have a question about landlord-tenant law in Spokane, Washington. Are you currently facing any specific issues with your landlord or tenant?

Lexi, Chatbot

Are you looking for information on your rights as a tenant or landlord in Spokane, Washington?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the landlord-tenant lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with landlord issues.

Angelo M

Greetings! I hope this message finds you well. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you with your situation and provide you with the support you need. Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to working with you. Can you clarify your legal question for me?

Angelo M

Dealing with tenants and their guests or partners who are not on the lease can be tricky, especially when you’re preparing to renew a lease and raise the rent.

Since you have a tenant whose lease is about to expire in six months, and her boyfriend is living there on and off but is not listed on the lease, you want to approach this situation carefully to protect your rights as a landlord while maintaining clear communication.

First, it’s important to check the existing lease agreement and your state and local landlord-tenant laws for Spokane, Washington, to understand your rights and any restrictions on lease amendments, rent increases, and occupancy rules.

Generally, tenants are required to disclose all occupants who live in the rental unit, especially if they are staying for extended periods, and landlords usually have the right to approve additional occupants or require them to be added to the lease. If the boyfriend is living there regularly but is not on the lease, he might be considered an unauthorized occupant or an additional tenant, which could violate the lease terms.

Before sending the rent increase notice, you should communicate with your tenant to clarify the lease renewal terms and inform her of the upcoming rent increase. Explain that the new lease will require that any additional occupants be listed and approved. You can state that since her boyfriend has been residing there intermittently, he must be officially added to the lease to comply with the rental agreement.

This is a good time to outline any rules you have regarding additional occupants, their responsibilities, and how that might affect the rent or deposit. If she agrees to add her boyfriend to the lease, you can prepare a new lease reflecting the rent increase and updated tenant list. If she refuses or the boyfriend continues to live there without approval, you may have grounds to enforce the lease terms or pursue remedies, which could include starting eviction proceedings for unauthorized occupants or breach of lease.

It’s crucial to document all communications in writing and remain professional and clear about your expectations. Since the lease doesn’t expire for six months, you have time to handle this thoughtfully, but addressing it early in the renewal process will help avoid confusion or disputes.

Remember, any rent increase should comply with Spokane’s local laws regarding notice periods and limits on increases, so make sure to provide proper written notice at least 30 days (or whatever is required locally) before the increase takes effect.

Angelo M

I hope I was able to help you and answer all of your questions and concerns. Is there any part of my response that you need clarification on, or any further information? Did you have any other questions on this subject for me today?