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:
Passive Income Real Estate Strategies for 2024
The Big Picture On Passive Income From Real Estate: Many strategies are designed for investors seeking minimal involvement, offering ways to generate income without actively managing properties, including rental properties, syndications, REITs, storage facilities,...
Tax-Sheltered Real Estate Accounts: Make Your Kids Rich by 18
The Big Picture On Tax-Sheltered Real Estate Accounts: Setting up a self-directed Roth IRA for your child with annual contributions as early as age 14 allows for tax-free growth and the power of compounding. Even with modest contributions, the account can grow...
Leverage in Real Estate: How Does It Help Investors?
The Big Picture On Using Leverage In Real Estate: In real estate, leverage allows investors to purchase properties using borrowed money, typically putting down only 20% of their own cash. Using leverage can amplify returns. For example, a $200,000 property bought with...
Real Estate Investment Terms: Glossary of Real Estate Vocabulary
The Big Picture On Real Estate Investment Terms: Mastering real estate terminology is essential for effective communication and deal navigation in the industry. Key financial metrics like cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and IRR help investors evaluate and compare...
How to Negotiate with Contractors: The Definitive Guide
The Big Picture on Negotiating With Contractors on Real Estate Projects: Build relationships with contractors before you need them. Create a network of trusted professionals for different specialties to prepare you for issues. Gather 3-5 quotes for each job, learning...
Heat Map: The Hottest Real Estate Markets in 2025
The Big Picture on The Hottest Real Estate Markets: As affordability becomes a concern in larger cities, more buyers are seeking opportunities in smaller towns. These emerging markets offer lower entry prices, attracting remote workers and investors searching for...