A person who is leasing a residential property such as an apartment or home (tenant) may want to have a roommate stay at the leased premises. This is often a boyfriend or girlfriend but may also be a friend or family member who needs a place to stay for a short period of time—which then becomes a longer period of time.

If the tenant’s relationship with their guest takes a turn for the worse, or if the guest overstays their welcome, the tenant may not be able to remove or evict the guest from the leased premises (apartment or house) as quickly as the tenant imagined. Laws vary from state to state, but in some states such a guest who is not on the lease may become a legal tenant with certain rights after staying at the leased premises for a certain period of time. For example, the guest may become a month-to-month tenant with the right to at least 30 days written notice to move out or vacate the leased premises.

Having a roommate who has not been approved by the landlord and who has not signed and agreed to the terms of the lease agreement (is not on the lease) can cause additional legal problems for the tenant who signed the lease agreement. For example, most residential lease agreements limit the number of days (and nights) a person who has not signed the lease agreement (a guest) can stay at the leased premises. If a tenant violates this provision of the lease agreement by having guests for longer periods of time, the landlord may be able to terminate the lease and evict the tenant.

In Virginia, tenants who wish to have a roommate stay in their leased residential property should be aware of the legal implications. Virginia law recognizes that guests can acquire tenant rights if they stay for an extended period, potentially becoming month-to-month tenants who are entitled to at least a 30-day written notice before being required to vacate. The specific period after which a guest gains such rights can vary, so it's important to understand the local regulations. Additionally, most lease agreements have clauses that restrict the duration a guest can stay without being on the lease. If a tenant allows a guest to overstay, this could be considered a violation of the lease terms, which may lead to the landlord taking action to terminate the lease and possibly evict the tenant. Tenants should always seek the landlord's approval for long-term guests and ensure any roommate arrangements are in compliance with their lease agreement and state laws to avoid legal complications.