UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi,
I have rented out to a couple ( 2 years now) and they have been good tenants. However this year they have divorced and have two young kids.
My AST still has them both on the contract along with a guarantor ( as per standard practice). However now the main earner has left the house and only the wife lives in the house with her 2 kids. She is now on benefits and has been paying the rent on time so far.
I have said to them that I am happy to continue as long as both of them are on the contract.
However the husband now wants to come off the contract.
What options do I have?
If I do a new contract with her then she is unlikely to pass the credit and affordability check.
I do not want to inherit their issues and want some advise from experienced landlords on this forum as to what I should do to prevent this situation turning into a disaster for both the tenant and myself.
I want my rent paid on time ( which they have so far) but I am concerned that this might not be a case in a few months / years

What can I do?
What should I do?
What options exist in such situations?

Any advise would be valuable.
Thank you in anticipation

The husband can't just "come off" the contract, unless you agree to that.
When the tenancy is periodic, they can serve notice that ends the tenancy and, assuming that they don't move out, leaves the occupants as either trespassers with no right to live there, or you agree a new tenancy with them.

As with pretty much any business, there's no risk free option to make money, so you're just trying to balance the risk and reward.
Any assessment of a tenant is based on history, you can't predict the future anymore than the tenant can. A few years ahead sounds a little optimistic.

If the tenant has been paying rent so far, have you spoken to them about this and what their situation is and how they plan to pay the rent in future?

A tenant with children on benefits who's keen to keep living somewhere decent could be an excellent tenant. A tenant with children who's been relying on her ex paying half the rent and knowing it's going to stop soon, less excellent.

I would probably arrange to meet with the woman, as jpk suggests. All being well, I think I would be happy just to wait and see. If you are getting your rent and she is not causing trouble, what' s not to like?