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:
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...
Apartment Amenities in Demand: Housing Features Tenants Want Most
As an investor, every dollar spent needs to justify itself. You have to weigh which real estate amenities are worth your extra money based on which can garner higher rental rates, better tenants, and stronger loyalty. Some apartment amenities are consistently in...
When Should Landlords Add a Co-Signer on a Lease?
“I’m sorry, but you need a regular income and a good credit rating to lease one of our apartments,” Mary Keller explained to the anxious 20-year-old student eager to lease a one-bedroom unit in the popular Harlan House Apartments near the University of Arkansas. The...
When Should Landlords Charge a Holding Deposit for New Lease Agreements?
Guest article by Alex Tkachenko from RentBerry. When should you collect a holding deposit, as a landlord? And what laws govern them? Deposits, of both the security and holding variety, are regulated by state landlord-tenant laws in the US. Which doesn't mean...
How Much Can Landlords Charge for Rental Application Fees in Each State?
Remember when you had to meet prospective rental applicants at the property with a stack of paper rental applications and pens in hand? Your applicant completed each line and checked each box on the spot to hand back to you. Once they were done, you collected the...
Cats vs. Dogs: Should I Allow Pets in My Rental Property? (Infographic)
Pet lover? So are we! There are some great reasons to allow pets in your rental property… and some risks. What are the pros and cons of allowing pets in your rental? Is renting to tenants with cats better than allowing dogs? What are the risks of each? Most...
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