How To Ask A Landlord If My Boyfriend Can Move In

Moving in together is an exciting opportunity to take your relationship to the next level. You get to spend more time together and learn about each other. You certainly don’t want anything to cause unnecessary issues, especially not issues with your landlord. But you aren’t sure how to ask your landlord if your boyfriend can move in.

Treat the situation as a business arrangement. Follow the requirements in your lease. Before you discuss the matter with your landlord, talk with your boyfriend about the details. Decide if he will be an occupant or a tenant. Notify your landlord in writing, and provide any documentation that is required by your landlord.

Let’s look at occupants and tenants under lease agreements, and then discuss how to notify your landlord that your boyfriend wants to move in.

There are certainly many legal reasons to have your boyfriend listed as a tenant on the lease. You have some protections should he damage the apartment or violate the lease. Regardless, though, the entire lease is a shared responsibility.

If your boyfriend remains an occupant with your permission, you can have him removed from the property if necessary. If he is a tenant, your landlord may need to have him removed should things go awry.

The positive side of adding your boyfriend to the lease is that it helps both of you build a good rental history. Should you move out, your landlord can give you both a rave review in the reference letter.

The first step is to notify your landlord in writing that your boyfriend intends to move in with you. Your landlord will do some checking about occupancy limits and other factors.

Next, the landlord will require a rental application from your boyfriend. He will have to follow the same steps that you did when you applied for the apartment. Your landlord may also require a background check, proof of income, and landlord reference letter. Remember, this is a business arrangement, just the same as when you moved in.

If your landlord approves your boyfriend to move into the rental unit, both of you are required to review the new lease agreement or lease addendum. Make sure that you both understand and agree to the requirements, as individuals and a couple. If you don’t like the lease terms, you can always back out without signing the new lease or addemdum. You then sign the lease or addendum, and your boyfriend is free to move into your place.

Once you sign a lease, your landlord is under no obligation to add new tenants to a lease arrangement or create a lease addendum. Even if your landlord is comfortable at first, the screening process may uncover issues that result in a denial of your request.

That’s the thing to remember in these situations – you are requesting that your boyfriend be able to move in. You aren’t asking for permission or simply letting your landlord know. As such, your landlord can approve or deny your request.

If you decide to move after your landlord denies your request for your boyfriend to move in, look closely at the consequences. Moving is expensive. You have to pay application fees, moving fees, utility transfer fees, and security deposits. More than that, you are also violating the lease agreement of your current rental unit. You may owe unpaid rent, damages, and other costs.

Many rental properties require that you pay the entire balance of the lease or the equivalent of two to three months of rent. Breaking a lease stays on your rental history, much as an unpaid credit card balance stays on your credit report. These are all things to consider.

The rental market is tough right now, and many renters are barely making ends meet. You may be tempted to simply live your life, and keep certain things from your landlord. In the short term, this feels like a good choice, but it really isn’t. Boyfriends, roommates, and pets are the most commonly hidden secrets of renters. All of these come with increases in security deposits and rent.

In the long run, though, you are constantly trying to hide reality from your landlord. Each time you need some routine maintenance, you have to figure out how to hide the evidence. When you are outside, you find yourself avoiding anyone from the property management team.

Furniture has to be moved in during the middle of the night, and you have to find ways to get your neighbors to keep your secret. All of this leads to stress, and you have basically denied yourself of the right to a peaceful and quiet place to live.

Fortunately, most landlords are quite understanding and accommodating. Yes, you may need to put down additional deposits. Check to see if you can pay that over time. As for the rent increases and other fees, that’s where your boyfriend or roommates can help out. If they can’t, you may want to rethink the decision to let them move in.