What should a landlord do when a tenant asks to add a roommate in the middle of a lease?

Do you have to allow it?

Usually no. A lease names the people who may live in the unit, and a new adult is a change the landlord can approve or decline. Many leases also have an occupancy clause that requires the landlord's consent for long-term guests or additional residents.

What you cannot do is apply different rules to different people. A refusal should rest on the same written screening criteria and occupancy limit you use for every applicant. Refusing because of race, religion, familial status or another protected class is illegal. See the HUD overview for the federal list, and check your state's longer one.

Screen the new person the same way

1. Give the new person the same application and ask for the same documents (ID, income proof).
2. Run the same checks you run on every applicant, with their written consent. See the screening checklist.
3. Judge the result by your written criteria, not by the existing tenant's history.
4. If you decline based on a credit report, send the adverse action notice the law requires.
5. Confirm the unit stays within your occupancy limit with one more person.

Occupancy limits are set by local codes and what is reasonable for the unit. See the occupancy limits guide.

Amend the lease, do not just allow it

A new roommate who is not on the lease is a guest or an unauthorized occupant with no obligation to you. If you approve, add them with a signed amendment so they are bound by the lease and, in most leases, responsible for the full rent together with the other tenants (joint and several liability). Without that, you may be unable to collect from them.

• Who is added and from what date.
• That all current terms stay, and the new person agrees to them.
• Whether the rent changes (many landlords leave it the same, some add a small amount for the extra person's use of utilities, so check what is allowed locally).
• Whether you will take an added deposit, and how much, within your state's deposit limit.
• Signatures from every adult, old and new.

Example a made-up tenant pays $1,800 and wants to add a partner. The landlord screens the partner, approves, adds a signed amendment, and keeps the rent at $1,800 with the same deposit. Now two people are each responsible for the full $1,800 if one stops paying.

The reverse: a roommate who wants off the lease

You are not required to release a tenant just because they move out. Many landlords agree only if the remaining tenant qualifies alone and signs a new lease or amendment. The roommate lease guide covers how to word it.

How DoorKeeping handles it

A lease in DoorKeeping lists every tenant on it, and an amendment goes out for e-signature to each adult. The ledger keeps one rent balance for the lease, so whichever tenant pays, the payment matches the unit. Ask Claude or ChatGPT which units have more than the occupancy you allow. Rent stays in your own bank account, and anything involving money waits for your approval.

Sources

1. HUD: Fair Housing Act overview, read Oct 30, 2026
2. DoorKeeping: Connect Claude or ChatGPT (steps and tools list), read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

Can a landlord refuse a new roommate?

Generally yes, if the reason is your written screening criteria or occupancy limit applied to everyone. You cannot refuse based on a protected class.

Does a new roommate have to sign the lease?

If you approve them as a resident, yes. A signed amendment makes them responsible for the lease terms and, usually, the rent.

Can I raise the rent when a tenant adds someone?

That depends on the lease and your state. Many landlords keep the rent the same. If you change it, do it in the amendment.

Can I charge an extra security deposit?

Sometimes, within your state's deposit limit. Check the cap before you ask.