Remaining Tenant Wants Roommate

[TNcowboy]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hi,
One tenant has moved and the one remaining, who has been an excellent tenant wants to sublet to add a roommate. The question is how to best approach this. It looks to me as though a new lease is best as long as we approve the new tenant. However, I would like to find a way to give the existing tenant seniority if a dispute arises.

I would appreciate your thoughts; I am trying to find the best way to make this work for all parties.
Thanks,
Michael

[Mr. Knowitall]

You're the landlord?

If you authorize a sublease, then your tenant can remain the sole tenant. The sublease will be between your tenant and his subtenant.