Before you rent a house or an apartment to anyone, be sure to cover yourself legally. The best way to do is by thoroughly checking out the applicant with a credit check, a criminal background check, contacting references, and confirming ability to make the necessary monthly payments. Beyond that, put together a lease that clearly and accurately spells out what the tenant may and may not do while renting from you. Although every lease Is different, your lease should not condone any of the following violations:
- Changing locks for the property without your written consent. If the new tenant changes the locks, you will be prevented from conducting periodic checks on the property (something you have the legal right to do as long as you give the tenant ample advance warning). You should also emphasize the word ‘mitten” in the lease since some people will later claim that they got verbal permission even though this never happened.
- Moving in other tenants. Unless you place this restriction, your tenant can move in a small army of family and friends. You need to remember that the more people and friends. You need to remember that the more people live in a residence the more tear and wear will generally occur.
- Also, you have the right to charge additional rent for additional tenants fire and residential codes In your community may place a limit on how many people may be into a residence. If your tenant violates these codes, you as the landlord may later be held responsible.
- Using the residence as storage or parking facility. Will your new tenant park broken-down, unregistered old vehicles on the lot? Will lie fill up the garage that comes with the property with dangerous chemicals illegal substances, or pest-bringing refuse? Unless you specify this, some tenants will move in unlimited items you may not want on the premises.
- Making unauthorized repairs or renovations. Is it okay, for example, if your new tenant (who claims to be good with his hands) rewires one of the bedrooms or puts in a new electrical outlet? May the tenant tear down the a new electrical outlet? May the tenant tear down the brand new wallpaper you just put up? Unless you specify this, tenants will assume that they can do whatever they want to the property.
- Some of them may even expect you to pay for blatantly unnecessary repairs and renovations they initiate without consulting you. A landlord is supposed to make prompt repairs for essential items in the house (heating, water, windows and doors, etc.) but renovations are arbitrary. Let the tenant know early on that any changes to the property must be approved by you; you must also be dear as to who will be allowed to conduct the repairs/renovations.