Adding a Child to a Rental Agreement
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: I am a landord over a property in Ohio. My tenant just moved in a few months ago. In her application, she listed her 14 year old daughter as an occupant so I was aware that she was going to be living with her for part of the year. However, I did not add her daughter to the rental agreement since she is a minor. The tenant is now wanting me to add her daughter to the lease for school registration purposes since the daughter's last name is different. Is this legal? I know that the daughter does not have to sign since she is a minor. But am I allowed to add her name to the lease or should I just add a clause to my agreement saying that she is an allowed occupant?
Re: Adding a Child to a Rental Agreement
I am skeptical of the story but, even if I weren't, I would not add a minor to the lease as a tenant if I were the landlord. If legal proceedings are required, such as an eviction proceeding, they would be needlessly complicated.
While I might be willing to notate on the lease that the minor was an occupant of the unit, I am not clear on why even that would be necessary. If the school district actually raises an objection based upon the child's surname, mom can simply present the child's birth certificate (if they had different names since birth) or proof of her subsequent name change (if she changed her surname after the child's birth), or possibly a child custody order.
Re: Adding a Child to a Rental Agreement
I think what may be happening is that the school requires a document showing that the child is a resident of the school district for registration purposes.
Frankly, as a former landlord, I would not get involved with that.
However, you might just give the tenant a photocopy of her application showing the child as occupant and tell the tenant that's all you can do.
Re: Adding a Child to a Rental Agreement
Thank you so much. All of your input was very helpful!