What does it mean to add your name to a lease?
A signed rental lease agreement is very specific about who’s allowed to live in the rental property. The adults named on a lease are legally responsible for the property—from rent and utilities to security deposits and damages.
Why is it important to have your name on a lease?
Legally speaking, if your name is on a lease you are responsible for the full term of the lease. The way it works in situations with roommates, is each lease holder is considered responsible for the entire amount of rent due each month for the entire term of the lease.
Is it bad to not have your name on a lease?
On a more negative note, not having your name on the lease could turn into a bad situation quickly. Without a lease, the landlord would be free to increase rent at the end of every 30 days. Also, by not signing a lease, security of remaining and stability within the rental are not available to the renter.
Can I add someone to my lease later?
California lease contracts allow tenants to occupy property owned by landlords. Landlords are not obligated to modify leases; therefore, they may use requests to add tenants to negotiate other new lease terms. However, you and your landlord must agree on such new changes.
What happens if my name is not on the lease?
If your name doesn’t appear on the lease as a tenant, yes, you can just move out and pay nothing. You are under no legal obligation to pay rent as you are not the tenant of record. The tenant (or tenants) are responsible for the rent.
Should I put my boyfriends name on the lease?
Simply put, you are not required to accept your landlord’s offer to put your boyfriend on the lease, but it may be the only way to legally establish his residence in the building. You prefer that he resides in the unit as a subtenant, that his lease is with you rather than the landlord.