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:
Should You Sell a Property with Tenants Living in It?
There are no federal, state, or local regulations that prevent the owner of a rental property from selling it while renters live on the premises. However, it can present some challenges. Sellers should plan carefully before listing tenant-occupied properties on the...
Should You Rent to Section 8 Tenants? Pros & Cons of Section 8 for Landlords (Infographic)
Heard tales of guaranteed rent payments for landlords who rent to Section 8 tenants? 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 collect rents reliably, with fewer...
More Cities Upping Legal Liability for Landlords: 5 Tips to Protect Yourself
Years ago, I had a tenant who violated a zoning ordinance. Local laws prohibited placing barbecue grills on the rental property patios or porches. Mind you, this was not about use; it was about storage on the outside of the residential property. Well, guess who...
Rent Control in California: Which Cities Restrict Rents?
Almost half of California's residents live in rentals. The cost of living, especially rental rates, has risen dramatically over the last two decades, creating some of the least affordable rental housing in the world in many California cities. Given California’s...
How to Be an Airbnb Host: 14 Tips for Fast Success
Ever been curious about how to be an Airbnb host? How much extra income could you earn, if you transitioned a property from a long-term to short-term rental? We tracked down several Airbnb experts to explain how to become a host for Airbnb with minimal fuss and...
Underworld: How to Spot Professional Tenants Before They Bite
Professional tenants are vampires. They suck the lifeblood of both your property and the neighborhood, moving in with no intention to pay, and living rent-free for up to two years. If you think I’m being melodramatic, imagine paying the mortgage on your property for...
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