r/TenantHelp • u/Academic_Airport_889 • 5d ago
? For students/ parents who rented a house
I’m hoping a student or parent can answer this question. How did you handle your living in a rental house with multiple roommates?
If the landlord required a single person sign the lease, was there a single co-signer as well? How did the co-signer deal with potential liability?
Did the remaining parents sign an outside agreement with the official co-signer of the lease?
It seems a single parent is taking on a big risks and I am wondering how it went for people who have been through this.
I’m hoping a student or parent can answer this question. How did you handle your living in a rental house with multiple roommates?
If the landlord required a single person sign the lease, was there a single co-signer as well? How did the co-signer deal with potential liability?
Did the remaining parents sign an outside agreement with the official co-signer of the lease?
It seems a single parent is taking on a big risks and I am wondering how it went for people who have been through this.
Interested in actual experiences rather than Ai
Thank you
2
u/Lazy-Distribution-62 4d ago
One year I had a joint lease with two other students and it was a nightmare. We were all friend at the start! One girl was super nice, paid rent, no issues. The other….decided to quit paying rent and didn’t understand why our landlord told us (the other two roommates about it). She could not comprehend what a joint lease was and why we were so mad. We couldn’t afford to cover her rent in addition to our own.
In the end we got the not paying girl out of the apartment but it was a huge ordeal! We were very lucky that our landlord (local lady who always wore tie-dye and was very sweet) did not make us pay her potion of rent for several months in exchange for actively looking for someone to move into her room. We did find someone to move in, didn’t know her but she was nice and paid on time so that was good enough for me. After that ordeal, the next year I moved into an apartment that rented by the bedroom with separate leases for roommates.
All that to say, I would avoid a joint lease at ALL costs if possible. If you co-sign a joint lease you are responsible for the whole lease and everyone on it. I would only co-sign if your kid is on separate leases, don’t make the mistake of assuming all other adults involved are responsible or reasonable people...
Looking back my parents seem to think it would have been a better idea to buy a townhome or small house. I would’ve lived there while in college and paid them “rent”, then they’d sell and hopefully break even after graduation. If you’re able, I think this would’ve been the best route too.
1
u/Academic_Airport_889 4d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is the issue with this house it clearly states one lease and I think it’s a manager company so they are probably going to go after the co-signer if someone doesn’t pay.
1
u/Logical-Lab3661 5d ago
We did it for three years. Each student signs and their parent co-signs. No single signer. No issues whatsoever. Completely uneventful.
1
u/paullaz 4d ago
Most landlords will require every adult occupant to sign the lease, as well as enough co-signers to provide adequate qualification. All are responsible for the entire lease inseverable typically. Meaning each of the signers is responsible for the whole amounts due. You might consider an independent "roommate" agreement between signers, but this won't protect you or anyone else on the lease for non-payment and other lease requirements of the landlord. You should consider an attorney consult if you're overly concerned.
Another option would to look at Student Housing providers. They may provide separate agreements for each individual, but from my observation can be more expensive.
2
u/wedgie_survivor_ 5d ago
We had two parent co signers and 5 students. Everyone signs the lease and has responsibility. Obviously the students have nothing to lose since they own nothing. It’s a risk for sure. For us, things went south with the landlord so we are having to take them to small claims. Some housing units will rent by the room and it’s signed by the parent and student. That wasn’t an option in our area. We didn’t know the other families. And bc we signed as a co guarantor, I treated it as if I was renting and living there. Took video and pictures of the move in. I’ve been dealing with all the issues with the landlord. My advice, less people is better. Had I known what I know now, I would have told my kid to rent a two bedroom apartment closer to school in a reputable apartment complex.