Whatshot
What happens if one of your tenants absconds
What happens if one of your tenants absconds
Date: 2017-10-11
It's quite common for landlords to rent apartments and houses to multiple tenants, but they need to make sure they're covered in the event of one or more of these tenants moving out before the lease expires.
Such situations can pose quite a problem for landlords unless their leases are correctly worded to state that the tenants in a multiple-tenant situation are 'jointly and severally' responsible for the full amount of the rent.
This wording means that each tenant in a shared flat or house is legally responsible for making sure that the entire monthly rental is paid, so that if one moves out without warning, or perhaps does a 'midnight run' because they are unable to pay their share of the rent, whoever is left will have to make up the difference for the duration of the lease or until the missing tenant is replaced.
This protects the remaining tenants as much as the landlord, and on top of that we are experienced in dealing with departing tenants who wish to claim a share of the original damages deposit.
It should also provide that the landlord or managing agent is to be advised immediately if one or more subtenants move out, as an early warning of possible payment difficulties.