| Whether you're a landlord, property manager, or | | | | their security deposit back in whole. |
| leasing agent, when it comes time to rent your | | | | What other rental templates will I need? |
| units you'll need to be prepared with all the | | | | We've covered the most critical items needed, |
| appropriate documentation to get your tenant in | | | | but there are many more good rental templates |
| the door. This article will discuss what documents | | | | that you can use to simplify the process of |
| are need, why you should use a template instead | | | | renting your unit. We'll cover a few briefly: |
| of trying to draft your own, and what to check | | | | |
| for when you're looking for quality documents at | | | | 1. A maintenance form or agreement - A |
| your local library, office supplies company, or on | | | | maintenance form is a document that the tenant |
| the internet. | | | | completes when the rental is in need of |
| What documents do you need to rent your | | | | maintenance. The maintenance agreement is a |
| property? | | | | document that outlines what the property |
| Before we get started discussing what | | | | manager is responsible for, and what items fall |
| documents you need to rent your place, it's | | | | under the tenant's responsibility. |
| important to mention that local laws regarding real | | | | 2. A responsibility matrix - This is typically a |
| estate can vary widely; take a few minutes to | | | | spreadsheet or chart of some type that explains |
| check hud.gov or your local state website to see | | | | what each party is responsible for in terms of |
| if there are any regulations on what you must | | | | maintenance, upkeep, or bills. |
| have in writing from your tenant. | | | | 3. Notice of eviction - A notice of eviction simply |
| At the very least, to get your tenant into a legally | | | | tells the tenant that they're being evicted from |
| binding rental agreement you should have: | | | | the property. This can typically be acquired in the |
| | | | event that the tenant defaults on the rent - |
| 1. A rental application template - This document | | | | hopefully this isn't something that you'll need to |
| allows you to conduct background and reference | | | | worry about before your tenant leases your |
| checks on your prospective tenant. | | | | property. |
| 2. A lease agreement template - This document is | | | | Where to find rental templates |
| probably the most important aspect of the rental | | | | There are lots of resources for rental templates, |
| process. It outlines what the rental payment is, | | | | ranging from brick and mortar locations (public |
| when it's due, and what your tenant pays in | | | | libraries, office supply stores, etc.) to the virtual |
| terms of utilities, security deposit, etc. The lease | | | | spaces (the internet). Take some time when |
| agreement also acts as a legal binding contract | | | | you're looking for quality rental templates and |
| stating what your tenant can and cannot do on | | | | review many different documents until you find |
| the premises, when to pay rent, who can live in | | | | one that fits your needs. Try to find templates |
| the dwelling, and so on. It's extremely important | | | | that allow customization if possible, as this will |
| that this is completed and signed by both the | | | | allow you to ensure that all your bases are |
| landlord and the tenant prior to the tenant moving | | | | covered. |
| in. | | | | Conclusion |
| 3. A rental checklist - This is a pretty general | | | | I hope this document has provided some insight |
| term, but in our case it means a document that | | | | on why you should use rental templates when it's |
| outlines the condition of the rental at the time the | | | | time to get the tenant in the door. It can be |
| tenant moves in and the time the tenant moves | | | | tempting to skip the process if you're |
| out. This document is often overlooked by the | | | | comfortable with the tenant's character, or if you |
| property manager, and can result in forfeit of | | | | know the person already. Don't do it! Treat all |
| security deposit by the landlord, regardless of the | | | | applicants the same, and ensure that you always |
| damage committed by the resident. Without it, in | | | | have all the paperwork in place to guarantee legal |
| most states the tenant has the right to receive | | | | coverage and peace of mind. |