State Specific Question About: IOWA (IA)

Hello, all,

I am a tenant (who wants to be a good tenant!), so I thought I would ask the LLs how they would prefer this to be handled. The situation is that I signed a lease in May for a rental unit (3 person occupancy max) intending to lease it myself; the lease begins June 1.

However, I am now getting married the last week of June. I would like to obviously live with my wife, and would want to add her to the lease after we are married.

My question is: how to broach this with the LLs? Is there a way to avoid a rent increase/renegotiating a new lease? Should I broach it before the marriage or after? The lease agreement I signed stipulates that a second security deposit and additional rent is required with any additional residents. However, I am paying all utilities and the apartment was initially advertised at a single rate for up to three occupants. Of course, my wife is prepared to undergo a background/credit check - that's not our concern. We're just worried about creating more hassle for the landlords and potentially doubling my current rental rate (which I can't afford). Any suggestions? Obviously, if there were a way my wife could have signed the initial agreement, we would have. Thanks!

Hi Peter and thanks for the post..

There are far more residents who read this site that many would like to believe...

While it is for LL.. it is also a fourm for information...

and I'd suggest can be a part of lessining the 'tension' between LL and residents...

Now to the consideration..

Rented just yourself... you asked and they accepted..

As you stated your lease does outline a increase in rents and deposit for additional persons...

You leased a home in May.. and did not know you were going to get married in June... maybe I missed something? Smiles

An addendum would add Mrs. Peter to the lease and as you noted the then changed terms and rents/deposits..

Or break the lease..

Best bet... start with the owner.. explain how ya did not know you were getting married.. just slipped your mind..

throw yourself on their mercy... !!!

Everyone gets a good laugh and hopefully a solution that is best for all..

Remember 'put the lid down' !!

Ha, thanks, the lid always stays down!!

When initially viewing the apartment, I verbally informed one of the LLs that I was in a long-term long distance relationship and planned to marry within two year; BUT didn't intend it to be so soon (and it was the owner in charge of maintenance, not lease agreements). The (future) wife's job situation changed, so she is now moving states so we can marry now.

Really don't want to break the lease, for future rentals' sake. Also don't want to have to put the LL through finding new tenants!

Peter, Congrats!

Our lease is clear that new occupants, spouses, or roommates must complete and application and be approved prior to occupancy.

I can tell you that smart LLs wee and additional occupant on the lease as more jobs available to the pay the rent.

If you have a good record with the LL I'd ask she be added at no additional cost based on that 1-3 thing. If they demand more rent then it's your choice to stay or leave.

I would explain the updated marriage background to the owners. Landlords do not like liars or people who innocently or accidentally mislead us, but we are suckers for unique excuses. ;)

Mainly (as landlords) we want "no headache" tenants. If you (a tenant) create a headache for me there are two options. You can move or you can solve the headache for me so I don't have to stress out over whatever the issue is. Make my life run smooth and I will be the best landlord ever. Stress me out and I will shut the game down.

Is this a year lease? If you haven't taken possession it's possible you could break it with payment of an early termination fee. This might be a better idea so your spouse could participate in your first home rather than moving into yours.

Our policy is all adults have to be on the lease. However our interest is certainly not in breaking up families. In the case of actually married couple or legal domestic partnership (not a "finace/shackup") about the only reason we wouldn't approve would be if the new spouse was an axe murderer/druggie, or if the current resident was having trouble paying and the new spouse wasn't bringing any income to the table - meaning we'd be even less likely to get paid. Like Brad says, the more people with income on the lease the merrier. :)

We sometimes discount rent for one person. I personally would rather have a single person. Less wear and parking issues, noise, etc. But since 99% of the time when we rent to a single person they pull the exact scenario you described, and hope to move in their GF and six kids at the single rate - then we are being taken advantage of and end the arrangement. Our lease, if we are providing a single occupant discount includes an escalation clause for increased rent per person up to the maximum occupancy of $50-$150 per person. Our trigger is anyone staying over 72 hours in a month incurs the increase.

So - my advice - and you seem like an educated, solvent fellow. Come clean to the LL asap. Solve the problem for the LL by offering a reasonable solution. (Reasonable to the LL.) If an amount isn't stated in the lease for an additional person, come to an agreement on a fair rate you are both happy with. Pay the LL, and pay future rent on time, and you will all live happily ever after! :)

Otherwise you've got two days to get out of your lease. Good luck!

I should clarify my comment above before HUD comes to get me. I don't care if someone is married or not. We rent to lots of BF/GF couples or even BF/BF, GF/GF. ;) ;) But non married couples or groups are treated as roommates vs married couples. There are legal differences, wherein spouses are legally responsible for community debts (rent) while unmarried people are individually liable.

Thanks for the info, congrats, and your perspectives!

Certainly amenable and expect a background check for her. (No criminal history and good credit for both.) The worst part, I know, is what it looks like, as you mentioned LL[AZ]: signing up for one, then sneaking the neighborhood in behind the LL's back. Yes, it's a year lease and it's also with a new landlord, so I can't build on a good history of on-time payments with them (beyond the security deposit, first month's rent, and prompt replies to correspondence).

The ETF might be a possibility, but we'd prefer to stay, given the location and the housing market in our area. Hopefully the unique situation wins the day!

Tell your land lord what's up and offer to pay $50 more per month. Nothing smooths over life's little "bumps in the road" like a little extra cash. As a land lord, I'd jump at that offer in a second.

Your new wife is worth an extra $600 a year, right? :-)