[bobbybig]

I am a new landlord and looking for renting my townhouse to 2 tenants. One tenant will take upper floor with 1 bedroom/1bath and second tenant will be taking middle floor with 2 bd/1bath with common areas on ground floor as living area, kitchen etc. I already got first tenant who we know personally (little bit) and still looking for second tenant. I am looking two option of lease :

Option a: Jointly and Severely liable on single lease but the first tenant who I know is hesitant in doing so because we know she can not pay whole rent if such situation arises.

Option b: Separate lease for first tenant and then another lease for second tenant.

My question is for option b, how and what kind of wording I need to be including on their separate leases for common area, security deposit situations if one tenant leaves early or break the lease. How would I return the security deposit in such case if damages? Is it OK to do option B. Any suggestion would be certainly great help.
(Property in question is in Montgomery County, Maryland)
Regards.

[Fr_Chuck]

Also check your zoning to be sure you are multi family or romming house zoned. * the actually requirement will change by name as locations have their own wording***

Since if you are not allowed to rent to multi family by zoning, you could find yourself unable to enforce any rent.