Kansas City Roommates - Avoid Conflict When Adding A Roommate

One thing’s for certain about life: Nothing stays the same. If it’s time to add the love of your life to a lease or you’re just moving in a new roommate, it’s important to check with the landlord first. It’s better to be upfront and take care of any paperwork than violate a lease agreement.

To help make the process go smoothly, it’s a good idea to let the landlord know of your intentions either in person or in writing. Taking the time to inquire about the potential before moving a roommate in can really ensure an easier transition.

Before approaching the landlord, find out:

• If the new roommate will exceed the limit of tenants allowed in a unit. There are limits on the number of people allowed per room. Make sure the addition doesn’t exceed that number.
• Will the person meet the landlord’s tenant requirements? Many landlords require that all adults living in a rental meet certain criteria such as credit, employment, rental history and so on. It doesn’t hurt to have the potential roommate pull their own credit report so it can be passed along to the landlord. If the report’s good, that’s fantastic. If it’s not, that gives you time to examine and explain negative reports.

If the person meets the requirements to move in, there are some things you should expect. They include:

• The need to sign a new lease. This is common practice in a lot of locations. The new tenant will need to be on the lease to protect you, the new tenant and the landlord.
• Increased rent. Sometimes, when a new roommate moves in and a new lease has to be signed, rental rates will go up because of a loss of specials.
• Deposit increases. As it is with the rent, a new deposit might be required if a new lease has to be signed. This will vary depending on circumstance.

Adding a roommate can be a very smooth process as long as the original tenant does his or her part to properly inform the landlord. Take the time to make sure the landlord knows your intentions – write a letter if necessary – and do follow the proper procedures to protect yourself, the new roommate and your landlord from any issues down the road.