It is important to have a residential lease agreement in place, to ensure a smooth relationship between a landlord and his renters. This is a legally binding document that can result in the parties being prosecuted in case of any them fails to stick to the stipulated conditions. When a lease agreement form is written and prepared in a proper way, it can safeguard the rights to a property. Here is how you need to write a residential lease agreement in a proper way.
Rental unit condition
In case the rental property is in a proper condition, and does not have any damage or problem, you have to mention that. You should detail the specifics in case your property has any damage or problem. If there is a need for some repair work, mention whether the same are covered. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to repair any appliance, heating and cooling equipment, fixtures etc. However, some landlords tend to mention in the form that renters have to take care of the repair work, and they will pay for the expense later on. If you want to have a similar arrangement, your rental contract must mention it.
Kind of activities permitted
In case there is anything that you cannot tolerate absolutely from your renters, it is important that your lease agreement mentions the same. You need to mention a code of conduct, which can provide you with the legal right for your property management in an according way. It can let tenants understand what kind of activities would be allowed in the rental unit.
Mention the Pet Policy, if any
It is also a good idea to mention in the agreement whether you would allow pet loving tenants to keep a pet in your rental unit. In case there are some restrictions or exceptions, you need to mention the same as well. You may write about the kind of pets that you would allow or not or the size of the pet that you will allow.
Write about your Right of Entry
You need to be quite careful, given that a specific amount of time is needed in every state for landlords to wait after notifying tenants that they wish to enter their own rental property. Know the laws of your city or state, regarding this as well as other important aspects of property management. The property management laws in your area might vary from those of other states or cities. For instance, a few states need your lease contract to have a proper warning regarding lead based paint for construction structures that are older. It can let you determine what your lease agreement in Texas can include or not.
Need for a security deposit
In case you need a security deposit, you need to mention specifically on the lease contract what would be regarded as damage to the property. It is essential that you mention the security deposit policy clearly, in case you wish to safeguard your legal right to preserve that deposit.
Mention the rent amount
Your contract must mention when exactly the rent is due, and when it would be regarded as late. It can keep you safe from legal recourse in case your renter is constantly late in paying. You have to make your agreement a proper one, in order to avoid any misunderstanding.