What are our legal obligations if we co-sign for our son to enter into a lease of a home with 6 other students?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are our legal obligations if we co-sign for our son to enter into a lease of a home with 6 other students?
Our college senior son is strongly considering entering into a lease with 6 fellow students. The landlord is requiring each parent to cosign with son. We are reluctant to sign. None of the boys have lived away from home and we are concerned that some may bail out. I understand that we would be guaranteeing only our son’s rent but what about damages to the 5 bedroom home?
Asked on July 2, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
Cameron Norris, Esq. / Law Office of Gary W. Norris
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
It depends on the specific language in the lease, but usually cosigners to a lease are guaranteeing the FULL amount not just your relative's portion of rent. Damages also depend on the language of the lease, but usually cosigners are liable for any (and all) damages as well.
Your son is an adult. He is a senior in college. Unless this place is the Taj Mahal I am a little confused at why the landlord would require 6 separate parental cosigners. I rented my own apartments through college without a cosigner. I wouldn't sign that lease if I were you--if the five (really ten) other parties walk away you could be stuck with the whole lease payment plus any damage to the premises.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.