Leasing & Onboarding New Renters
Everything you need to know about signing new lease agreements and onboarding new tenants.
Preparing to sign a lease agreement?
Don’t sign it lightly.
Have you collected rental applications from a large pool of candidates? Have you run credit, criminal and eviction reports on all applicants? Collected application fees or charged the screening reports to the renter, to verify they’re committed?
If you’ve done all that, and made all the phone calls to verify income, employment, housing history, etc., and you feel 100% rock solid about this tenant… now you need to make sure you have a defensive lease agreement.
Think of your lease agreement as your shield, your armor. Most state landlord-tenant laws are extremely tenant-friendly, and designed to protect the renter, not the landlord. That means you’re responsible for protecting yourself.
How do you do that? With a comprehensive, protective lease package. Read on for more details, and happy leasing!
“Required Reading” – Start Here First!
Want more? We have you covered! Here’s some further reading on lease agreements, security deposits, move-in and everything else you need to know about onboarding new renters.
Full Library of Leasing & New Tenancy Articles:
6 Ways to Find Expired Real Estate Listings
The Big Picture On Ways To Find Expired Real Estate Listings: Expired real estate listings present investors with the opportunity to buy properties at below market prices. Accessing the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and networking with real estate agents are crucial...
Can Landlords Charge Tenants to Replace the Carpets?
The Big Picture On Can Landlords Charge Tenants to Replace the Carpets: Carpets are subject to normal wear and tear, and landlords need to consider this as an eventual expense. However, tenants can also cause damage to carpets. Landlords should know the difference...
10 Ways to Start Flipping Houses With No Money Down
The Big Picture On How To Flip Houses With No Money Down: Outside of traditional mortgages, house flippers have several options and methods for financing their project without little to no money down. The different methods for house flipping with no down payments...
Buying a Property with Tenants: Pros, Cons, and Rules for Landlords
The Big Picture On Buying A Property With Tenants: Buying a property with tenants provides immediate cash flow, as there is no vacancy period while seeking renters. However, it also includes the risk of inheriting tenants whose habits and payment histories may not...
Creative Financing for Real Estate: 13 Ideas for Your Next Investment Property
The Big Picture On Creative Financing For Real Estate: Seller Financing and Installment Contracts allow investors to negotiate directly with sellers for financing, potentially reducing the need for traditional bank loans. These strategies include options like...
Underworld: How to Spot Professional Tenants Before They Bite
The Big Picture On How To Spot Professional Tenants: Professional tenants are people who game the system in order to illegally stay on a rental property without paying rent. Landlords should be vigilant when spotting professional tenants. A strong tenant screening...