How to Navigate Divorcing Tenants

Relationships can end up not working out for a variety of reasons, which is why a significant percentage of marriages end up in divorce. Divorce proceedings can be extremely difficult on a couple both emotionally and financially, but divorce often affects other people in the couple’s lives as well, such as their landlord. Do you have divorcing tenants? If so, read on for tips on navigating the situation.

If you learn that the married couple renting your property is splitting up, you may be unsure about how to face the situation with as much fairness and sensitivity as possible. Additionally, you may have some questions about how the renting process will work moving forward now that your tenants are no longer together.

Questions Landlords Ask When Tenants Divorce

Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions landlords might have when they’re dealing with divorcing tenants. With the right plan in place, you shouldn’t have too much trouble navigating this sensitive situation.

Who Pays the Rent?

If your tenants have split the cost of rent as a married couple and they’re now divorcing, it’s natural for you to wonder who will be paying the rent for the remainder of the lease. 

The fact is, the lease agreement your tenants signed when they moved in will continue to stand until its expiration date no matter what happens to their personal relationship. According to the lease agreement, both parties will still be liable for their share of the rent until the lease is up. 

During the divorce process, your tenants may request that an addendum to the lease agreement be signed to change the stipulations about rent responsibility. In some cases, divorcing couples request a new lease altogether that excludes one party from the agreement. 

While you as the landlord have the right to make these changes to the lease you drafted, you should discuss your options with your lawyer before making any changes to the lease. 

It may be more convenient for your divorcing tenants to sign a new lease or lease addendum that releases one of them from rent responsibility; however, it may put you as the landlord at greater risk of missing or incomplete rent payments.

Who Can Access the Property?

As long as the lease your tenants signed while they were still married remains intact, both tenants maintain full legal access to the property at any time during the remainder of the lease agreement. You as the landlord cannot change the locks without providing both parties with new keys. 

The only reason this might change is if an updated lease has been drafted and signed, a lease addendum has been made, or a restraining order is involved in the divorce proceedings.

How Involved Should the Landlord Be?

It’s important for tenants to maintain positive relationships with their landlords in order for their time living on the property to be an overall positive experience for everyone involved. 

However, it’s no secret that a divorce is a stressful, complex, and often drawn-out process, and communicating with their landlord may not be the first priority divorcing tenants have at this time. 

Unless a restraining order is involved, the landlord cannot favor one tenant over another during a divorce and should practice as much neutrality as possible when communicating with both parties. 

Avoid getting involved with any personal drama between your tenants, and make sure to consult your lawyer during this process to avoid ensnaring yourself in any legal issues between divorcing tenants.

How Do Renter Qualifications Change?

When a married couple signs a lease together, the landlord will typically take the income of both parties into account when deciding if the renters meet the income requirements for the property. This means that one member of the couple may not be able to meet the income requirements without the other. 

In a situation that involves divorcing tenants and one party who elects to keep the lease themselves, you can draft up a new lease agreement that requires a cosigner. This will ensure that you will receive the rent you’re owed and will also protect your tenant from eviction. 

You could also elect to deny the lone tenant a new lease if the lease they shared with their ex-spouse is almost up.  

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE

**Blog Article Disclaimer*

This blog article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content is intended to offer general information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, laws and regulations are subject to change, and the legal landscape may vary based on jurisdiction. Therefore, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in this article.

Reading, accessing, or using the information provided in this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author, and any reliance on the information is at your own risk. If you require legal advice or assistance, it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney who can consider the specifics of your situation and provide advice accordingly.

The author and the platform disclaim any liability for any loss or damage incurred by individuals or entities as a result of the information presented in this blog. We recommend consulting a legal professional before making decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this article.

This disclaimer is subject to change without notice, and it is the responsibility of the reader to review and understand the disclaimer before relying on the information contained in the blog article.

PayRent is on a mission to build a rent collection app that fosters a positive and productive relationship between renters and landlords. We focus less on transactions and more on the people behind them.

pay

Subscribe to Our
Email Newsletter

Receive timely and relevant articles directly to your email inbox.
SUBSCRIBE
You can unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy
close-link

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE
close-link

Discover the Truth About UFOs

Top secret documents reveal ET encounters the government has been hiding
freshmarketer CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Donate Today

To the Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Yourself From Robots

Smart seniors get their robot insurance from Old Glory Insurance
freshsales CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Interested in PayRent?

Get a custom price quote when you schedule a demo.
*We won't share your information outside of our company
REQUEST A DEMO
close-link

Protect Your Evictions

PayRent gives landlords the control to block
all or partial payments from their renters.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Your Privacy

PayRent allows landlords to accept payments without
ever sharing their personal information with tenants.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Automatic Rent Reporting

PayRent reports rent payments to
all 3 credit bureaus at no extra cost.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Track Renter’s Insurance

Require Insurance and Track Documents with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Accept Credit Cards

PayRent makes it easy for Landlords to accept
Bank Transfers and Credit Cards.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Save Time With PayRent

Automate invoices, payments, receipts, late charges
and credit reporting with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Find This Useful?
Share it!

Like and Follow Us on Your Favorite Social Platforms
close-link
0 Shares
Share
Share
Tweet