The Bare Necessities of a Residential Lease

As the small-time landlord goes about getting startedSubleasing- One always want this section to appear in
managing the rental property they just bought, they arethe lease. It ensures that the tenant will not rent the
sure to discover that there are literally thousands ofresidence from the landlord and then turn around and
different variations of the residential property lease. It isrent it to someone else, leaving the property with a
always best to have a lawyer draft a lease, but letstenant that the landlord didn't approve.Redecoration
be honest, how many people can afford to have aAlterations - Also self-explanatory, this section ensures
lawyer draft them a real estate form every time theythat the tenant must get the landlord's permission
need one; and still make profit? More realistically, thebefore painting the walls, fixing an appliance, or
landlord will often navigate the web or travel tore-carpeting the floor.Holdover Policy - This policy is
brick-and-mortar office stores to buy an affordablegreat for busy landlords (Are there any that aren't?). It
version of a lease. With so many to choose from, theusually states that the current lease will hold over as a
list below highlights a few of the bare-minimums thatnew month-to-month lease if the tenant and landlord
one should check to ensure that the lease includescannot get together in time to sign a new lease before
them.Preliminary Terms - This section is usually at thethe current one expires. This situation is also useful for
beginning of the lease and includes such things as thetenants who are unable to stay another year or are
landlord's name, the tenant's name, the address of theunsure of when they are going to need to move out. It
residence being rented, and any appliances that aregives both the landlord and tenant flexibility without
included in the property that are owned by the landlordimmediately signing a new lease.Pets - Four different
(Often times, a separate appliance section may betextboxes often accompanies a pet policy. First, can
included in the lease).Term - Self-explanatory, the termthe tenant have pets; yes or no? Secondly, what kind
is the length that the tenant(s) will be renting theof pets specifically can the tenant have if the answer
residence (premises).Rent/Security Deposit - All leasesto the above question is yes? Third, a monthly
should of course include the rent. The rent section willmaintenance fee that the tenant pays to maintain the
often included the monthly rent amount, the exact daycleanliness of the residence, and fourth, the extra
of every month that the rent will be due, and thesecurity deposit that the tenant must pay for having
address at which the tenant(s) can mail the rent check.the pet.By checking for the above criteria on any lease
A good lease will also include the amount a tenantone intends to use, they are safeguarding themselves
must pay after a certain amount of days their rent isagainst a few of the "sticky" situations that may arise
late and the fee that they must pay if their rent checkfrom lack of specification in the residential lease. A
bounces.The security deposit often has a section of itslease can be both a friend and foe to the landlord, so
own and usually states two things. First, exactly whatmake sure that you create a friend instead of a
the security deposit amount is, and secondly, thefoe.The author is both the founder and owner of
number of days before the security deposit will beLandLordDocuments.
returned to the tenant after their departure.Subletting