Q: MY TENANT HAS A LIVE IN BOYFRIEND WHO IS NOT ON THE LEASE HE HAS STAYED OVERNIGHT MORE THAN 14 NIGHTS IN A ROW.
CAN I CHARGE EXTRA FOR THAT MONTH AND HOW DO I INFORM MY TENANT. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA
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A:
If your tenant's boyfriend is staying for more than 14 nights in a row and isn't on the lease, this could be a violation of your lease terms, depending on what the agreement states. Many leases include a clause about guests staying longer than a certain period. Review your lease to see if it addresses guests or unauthorized occupants.
To charge extra or address this situation, you need to follow the legal steps outlined in your lease agreement and California rental laws. You cannot arbitrarily charge extra without providing proper notice. Start by sending your tenant a written notice stating that their guest has exceeded the allowable stay and that this is a breach of the lease terms. Include a reasonable deadline to either add the boyfriend to the lease or have him move out.
If your lease allows you to charge additional rent for extra occupants, clearly state this in your notice and specify the amount. Ensure all communication is documented, and follow California's legal requirements for serving notices. If your tenant does not comply, you may need to consider further legal steps, such as issuing a formal notice to perform or quit. Always ensure you're following California landlord-tenant laws to avoid any potential disputes.
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