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:
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 in 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 assuming...
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...
Squatters Rights: A State-by-State Guide
The Big Picture On Squatters Rights: Squatters rights, or adverse possession laws, govern how landlords and property owners can remove trespassers after establishing residency. These laws vary by state. Trespassers can become squatters if they stay long enough and...
Eviction Process: How to Evict a Tenant (Infographic)
The Big Picture On The Eviction Process: Despite running a tight ship, landlords will eventually have to deal with eviction. Documentation is crucial when enacting the eviction process, as it helps the landlord's case in the long run. Landlords should always stay on...
How to Buy a Fixer-Upper Without Getting Burned
The Big Picture On How To Buy A Fixer-Upper Fixer-uppers are properties that need a little TLC before being ready for occupancy or sale. Buying fixer-uppers presents investors with several notable advantages, like the potential of a massive payday. However, the...
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