aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspe

The lease signing: This agreement is the foundation of the relationship between landlord and tenant. It will define the rules and regulations both parties will live with. It should also describe the penalties or outcomes of actions that harm or break the agreement. It is absolutely necessary to have every tenant sign a lease. It is best practice to spend an hour with every new tenant and each go over the lease have all parties initial each paragraph.

Who's in Charge: This serves the purpose of a giving each tenant a chance to know the rules and the penalties and to clear up any misunderstandings at the beginning. It will protect you down the road if there is a basic misunderstanding regarding the obligations of either. It will also give you an opportunity to establish the relationship on your terms and cement the idea that this is a business relationship that will be governed by rules.

All rental agreements should have the following:

1. Name and address of the property
2. Name and address of all tenants
3. Name and address of the landlord.
4. The rent
5. The due date and the address or delivery system if its an EFT
6. All penalties for late payments
7. Tenant responsibilities for maintaining the property
8. Landlord responsibilities for maintaining the property

KEY CLAUSES
1. Lease termination date: without a date you may not have an easy termination of a relationship you would like to end. You may have a difficult time raising rents, because the end of the relationship is not clear. Give yourself the opportunity to redefine or end a tenancy.

2. Sub tenants or Roommates: If you allow new roommates or a sub tenancy, you must insist that they new individuals are subject to your approval. They must complete a rental application and go through the normal tenant screening process with you as the landlord or manager having final approval.

3. Visitors: Have the lease determine the date in which all visitors must leave. If you dont you may find yourself with a roommate or a tenancy that did a run around your right to screen and approve. Let the tenant know that after some reasonable period of time such as two weeks or even thirty days, that the visitor must leave. Be aware that certain family members may be exempt from your control, such as new spouses or children etc. If you find yourself in this situation, you should send a certified letter indicating that the tenant may be breaking the lease and that it is cause for termination. Stay in charge.

4. Repairs: Make the tenant aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspec

own the road if there is a basic misunderstanding regarding the obligations of either. It will also give you an opportunity to establish the relationship on your terms and cement the idea that this is a business relationship that will be governed by rules.

All rental agreements should have the following:

1. Name and address of the property
2. Name and address of all tenants
3. Name and address of the landlord.
4. The rent
5. The due date and the address or delivery system if its an EFT
6. All penalties for late payments
7. Tenant responsibilities for maintaining the property
8. Landlord responsibilities for maintaining the property

KEY CLAUSES
1. Lease termination date: without a date you may not have an easy termination of a relationship you would like to end. You may have a difficult time raising rents, because the end of the relationship is not clear. Give yourself the opportunity to redefine or end a tenancy.

2. Sub tenants or Roommates: If you allow new roommates or a sub tenancy, you must insist that they new individuals are subject to your approval. They must complete a rental application and go through the normal tenant screening process with you as the landlord or manager having final approval.

3. Visitors: Have the lease determine the date in which all visitors must leave. If you dont you may find yourself with a roommate or a tenancy that did a run around your right to screen and approve. Let the tenant know that after some reasonable period of time such as two weeks or even thirty days, that the visitor must leave. Be aware that certain family members may be exempt from your control, such as new spouses or children etc. If you find yourself in this situation, you should send a certified letter indicating that the tenant may be breaking the lease and that it is cause for termination. Stay in charge.

4. Repairs: Make the tenant aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspe

ilities for maintaining the property

KEY CLAUSES
1. Lease termination date: without a date you may not have an easy termination of a relationship you would like to end. You may have a difficult time raising rents, because the end of the relationship is not clear. Give yourself the opportunity to redefine or end a tenancy.

2. Sub tenants or Roommates: If you allow new roommates or a sub tenancy, you must insist that they new individuals are subject to your approval. They must complete a rental application and go through the normal tenant screening process with you as the landlord or manager having final approval.

3. Visitors: Have the lease determine the date in which all visitors must leave. If you dont you may find yourself with a roommate or a tenancy that did a run around your right to screen and approve. Let the tenant know that after some reasonable period of time such as two weeks or even thirty days, that the visitor must leave. Be aware that certain family members may be exempt from your control, such as new spouses or children etc. If you find yourself in this situation, you should send a certified letter indicating that the tenant may be breaking the lease and that it is cause for termination. Stay in charge.

4. Repairs: Make the tenant aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspe

sitors: Have the lease determine the date in which all visitors must leave. If you dont you may find yourself with a roommate or a tenancy that did a run around your right to screen and approve. Let the tenant know that after some reasonable period of time such as two weeks or even thirty days, that the visitor must leave. Be aware that certain family members may be exempt from your control, such as new spouses or children etc. If you find yourself in this situation, you should send a certified letter indicating that the tenant may be breaking the lease and that it is cause for termination. Stay in charge.

4. Repairs: Make the tenant aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspe

aware that the responsibility is open the tenant to notify you IMMEDIATELY if there is a leak, moldy areas, pests, unsafe conditions of any kind, broken windows or locks, missing or broken smoke detectors. It must be understood that your responsibilities around safety and habitability and the maintenance of common areas, depend on the tenant notifying you in a timely manner.

5. Smokers: We think that smoking should be disallowed in the building. Place a smoke detector in each bedroom and the kitchen. Have the lease state that the tenant must be responsible for replacing batteries in smoke detectors. You should also make a yearly inspection to see if they are operable, after all, its your property

6. Landscaping: Take photos of the landscape, especially if it was costly. Keep dogs out of units that have access to landscaping. Define tenant responsibility for watering or pruning the landscape. Spell this out in the lease. You may want to have a professional gardener come in to maintain delicate landscapes. Our feeling is to create an indigenous landscape, that wont be costly in terms of water or upkeep.

7. Pets: If pets are allowed, define the type, size by weight and number of animals allowed on the property. Be clear that any new pets need your permission or that this may be grounds for termination.

8. Storage: Have a separate storage lease that has a termination date, to keep control in your hands as the owner or manager. Be sure that the lease states that toxic materials that cannot be stored and if there are any spills they are the responsibility of the tenant. Take photographs before the move-in

9. Parking: Have a separate parking lease with a termination date and a disclaimer or theft or damage, unless you are charging for for a secure garage.

Define all toxic materials and be sure the lease allows for termination if you find them there. Define the type and number of cars that can park there and be sure that the lease requires the cleanup of all gas and oil spillage. Take photos before you rent. Be aware that you must provide some safety. Offer bright lighting, and secure locks. Don't find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit because the place was dark and something awful happened.