I agree also. Not only is he underage for "boyfriend" activities, he is too young to legally enter into a contract (lease).

If you tell her no, she will move him in anyway. So, I see you having 2 choices: 1) authorize him as an occupant (too young to be a tenant) or 2) Give her (& the former boyfriend) notice if it's month-to-month and find someone else.

If they are on a lease, you may be able to terminate it if she does not qualify alone without the previous boyfriend.

It's a tough one. You may have to wait until he is an UNauthorized occupant & then evict for that.

If you are a new landlord, you really don't want to accept anyone that doesn't have two prior satisfactory landlord references (their parents don't count) - you can make that a requirement to qualify. And you probably want to avoid unmarried couples, too. If they are unmarried, I require them each to meet the salary qualification, and of course they never do. Unless your place is really hard to rent, try to steer clear this kind of young/unmarried drama in the future. I guess you already figured this out though. :) Good luck. I'd also try to get her out if I could.

In my state, if a 17 yr old signs a contract, the contract is null and void.

Ken, Familial Status does not have anything to do with a married or unmarried state. It is only about the presence or absence of children under age 18.

"Familial status" means having a child under age 18 in the household, whether living with a parent, a legal custodian, or their designee. It also covers a woman who is pregnant, and people in the process of adopting or gaining custody of child/children."

Good morning Dawn K,

What every responder has failed to mention so far (unless I failed to read it!) is that you still have TWO tenants.

When a person moves out doesn't mean they are off the hook. I know tenants think that is true, but it's not. Broken up relationships are tenant problems. "I hate your guts and I'm outta here" doesn't change your lease with the absentee boyfriend one bit.

The land lord cannot make any unilateral changes like adding a new tenant or authorizing an additional occupant; nor can you amicably end the lease without agreement of all parties. All parties includes the ex-boyfriend.

I'd let Miss Tenant know she needs to re-establish speaking terms with her Ex...meet with them in a public place to avoid any shenanigans, get them both to sign off on ending the lease...and get them out ASAP. 17-year-old is not going to be a good tenant. Too young. 1 in 100 chance that works out well. And yes, as others have said she will move him in no matter what you say or do to the contrary. He will always be "just visiting".

Unless it's a month to month, you're stuck until the lease expires. If it is a month to month, give notice of non-renewal today, effective end of November.

Breakups, pregnancies, and lost jobs are the most common reasons I lose Tenants. I ask that they be together at least 6-12 months before I consider them. I ask for 1 year job time. Good luck figuring out if they are pregnant and I doubt it's a question allowed on applications. It sounds like she does not qualify by herself. Therefore, you are going to lose her too and the sooner the better. So I would make that your goal and reset for better Tenants.

You really want to avoid the possibility a 17 year old moves in and SHE bails out. The 17 year old would count as a guest and she and ex as Lease holders would remain responsible for rent and performance of Lease. Good luck with that.

I have tried talking with both legal Tenants and offering a deal. Something like, "If you get out of my apartment BY NOON on Saturday and you are COMPLETELY out, I will refund your entire Deposit and end the Lease without taking you to court." Then I confirm the agreement in writing and we all sign. I will use the caps BY NOON and COMPLETELY against them. Kids don't understand keeping their word anymore and at noon on Saturday, they will tell me with a straight face that they are out except for a truckload of stuff they have to pick up on Sunday.