Can I charge rent to onsite manager's live-in girlfriend?

[Oaklander]

We own and manage an 18-unit apartment building. We have an onsite resident manager who gets free rent on a 1BR in exchange for light repair and maintenance (no rent collecting). He has just moved his new girlfriend into his apartment. This is the third girlfriend in one year; his relationships tend to end badly, and he had trouble getting the last girlfriend out. He wanted to change the locks but we told him that would be illegal. He doesn't tell us when he has someone living there; we just figure it out. This time around, when we realized Girlfriend #3 had moved in, we asked him to submit an application and credit report for her and said we would treat her like a tenant and put her on his lease. He agreed. Our question is: is it legal for us to charge rent to this woman -- say, half the rent on his apartment? She is not helping him with his duties; only getting free rent. We want to do this by the book. Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[mightymoose]

I'm not sure you can charge rent in this case since the apartment is being paid for by the services of your maintenance man, but you may be able to simply refuse permission for her to live there. What does your lease agreement say about guests?
Avoid the problem altogether of possible.

 

[disagreeable]

If it is a good manager, let it go.

 

[army judge]

We own and manage an 18-unit apartment building. We have an onsite resident manager who gets free rent on a 1BR in exchange for light repair and maintenance (no rent collecting). He has just moved his new girlfriend into his apartment. This is the third girlfriend in one year; his relationships tend to end badly, and he had trouble getting the last girlfriend out. He wanted to change the locks but we told him that would be illegal. He doesn't tell us when he has someone living there; we just figure it out. This time around, when we realized Girlfriend #3 had moved in, we asked him to submit an application and credit report for her and said we would treat her like a tenant and put her on his lease. He agreed. Our question is: is it legal for us to charge rent to this woman -- say, half the rent on his apartment? She is not helping him with his duties; only getting free rent. We want to do this by the book. Any suggestions? Thank you.

I suggest you pay him the value of rent, and give him a 10%, or 20% discount, if he chooses to rent from you.

That way you control the unit, and he doesn't control you.

That presumes it is important enough for you worry about who or what lives with him.

If it is, pay him.

This can get very ugly without a lease.

Or, you can create a month to month lease, with a 30 day notice from either side.

Do not use statutory language, put everything in the lease.

If he picks up another stary tramp or two, or even gets a harem, make the lease limit occupants to him, plus one other.

And, give yourself the right to approve his live in lover(s).

You should then make her pay, at least half of the going rent.

The benefit is for him and his spouse, not the entire county.

But, I suggest you discuss this with YOUR lawyer, and describe to him or her what it is you wish to accomplish.