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:
Emotional Support Animals & The Fair Housing Act – What Landlords Need to Know
Pets cause more wear and tear on your property. They can be loud, messy, and add friction with the neighbors. As a landlord you have the right to allow or prohibit pets in your rental units. Normally, it constitutes a business decision: do the pros of accepting pets...
Should You Become a Section 8 Landlord? The Good, The Bad, & The Truth (Infographic)
Heard tales of guaranteed rent payments, courtesy of Section 8? Deposited by the government, and paying higher-than-market rents? If these stories perked up your ears, you’re not alone. Section 8 landlords can make good money, with a lower risk of rent defaults – at...
Should Landlords Rent to College Students? Student Housing 101
One of the most common questions among real estate investors is “Where should I buy rental properties?” They typically mean the context of finding neighborhoods and the best cities for real estate investing. But before asking where, it often helps to decide who you...
9 Little-Known Lease Clauses to Protect Landlords & Their Rental Properties
Most landlords know that it’s important to have a signed, written lease agreement. But is a two-page freebie you scrounged up somewhere online going to protect you? The quality of your lease contract matters. That’s a lesson far too many mom-and-pop landlords and...
12 Tactics for Better Tenant Retention, Fewer Turnovers & Max ROI
Turnovers are ROI killers. There’s the lost income, during the vacancy. You also have to pay the mortgage, and pay to keep the utilities on. Most residential units need to be repainted. Tack on another several thousand dollars. Do you need new carpets? Often...
Late Fees for Rent: What Landlords Can Charge in Each State
What can landlords legally charge as late fees for rent? It depends on your state’s landlord-tenant laws, and in some cases your local city regulations. Many states don’t explicitly limit the amount that landlords can charge, but require that it be “reasonable.” Talk...
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