Landlord Leasing Tips
May 31st, 2007 by helpfulfactsLPA Quick Tips
* Automatic Agreement by No Response
Have you ever been frustrated because a tenant failed to return a signed copy of your notice of:
o LPA Lease Renewal
o LPA Rent Increase
o LPA Lease Update - Change of Terms or another notice you needed the tenant to agree to so that important changes affecting the tenancy can commence?
Here is the clause to insert into your LPA Notice of Rent Increase, Lease Update - Change of Terms Notice or Lease Renewal so that when you issue a notice, it will still be enforceable even if the tenants don’t return a signed copy to you. Just remember it is best to serve all official notices in person or by certified return receipt mail.
YOUR CONTINUED OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES AFTER ___________________, SHALL CONSTITUTE FULL AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE IN ADDITION TO AND AS PART OF YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT. (PLEASE KEEP THIS NOTICE WITH YOUR LEASE DOCUMENT)
Just copy and paste the above to the bottom of your notice.
Disclaimer: State and local rental contract laws may vary, so The LPA recommends you consult a local attorney to make sure legal notice of this type is enforceable in your local court.
* Landlord Screening Tip:
When screening an applicant, ask for a copy of a picture ID or drivers license. Make sure the person in front of you is the same person on the application and credit report. - The LPA
* Have proof you have sent written notices.
I have on many occasions seen tenants deny they received written notices from the landlord. One of the best ways to prove a notice was sent by Certified Mail is to include the Certified Mail Article # on the document and also send a copy by regular mail, and also keep a copy for yourself. Having the article # on the document shows that the notice you sent was the same as the notice you say you sent.
Just pick up a pile of cerified mail postcards and receipt slips so you can prepare them before going to the post office. - The LPA
* Beware a Tenant’s Lease Agreement
Some tenants come with their own lease agreement already prepared for you - by their attorney in many cases. Watch out! First of all, I have never had good experiences with tenants who are experts on landlord tenant law. Secondly, it is only logical that the tenant’s lease will contain more tenant protection than it will have landlord protection. There is usually a good reason the tenant wants to use his own lease agreement. You can bet there are lots of innocent seeming little clauses in there that wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow, but can cost the landlord plenty. Just stick with a landlord lease. - John C., BVR Mgmt
* Giving proper legal notice to tenant:
(This applies to month to month tenancies or if your lease allows you to make unilateral changes to the tenancy as the LPA Lease does.)
* It is important to remember that proper notice must also be given by the tenant or the landlord for the Intention of Non - Renewal. Even though the lease has an expiration date, the landlord must still require a written notice to vacate from the tenant.
If it is a 30 or 60 day notice, be sure that the written notice is served before the beginning of the next rent period. That means if the rent is due and payable on the 1st of the month, have the notice served before that date. Serving a notice in the middle of a rent period will not change the fact that the 30 or 60 days notice period starts on the first day of the next rent period. An official dated notice should be delivered / “served” to the tenant,
o in person (preferable)
o sent by certified mail- return receipt requested
o regular first class mail combined with the above. We recommend getting a certificate of mailing receipt from the post office whenever you mail an official notice by 1st class (regular) mail.
John N., NY
* Finding a good Eviction Attorney
Since our Attorney Directory is not yet complete, this might help:
If you are searching for a good landlord attorney, first ask your family attorney (if you have one) for a referral. Then ask a local real estate rental office or property management company who they recommend.
If you are going to interview eviction attorneys, I suggest you ask a few key questions.
1. Are evictions your specialty?
2. How many do you usually do a month?
3. How long does the average eviction take from beginning to end?
4. How fast can we have these tenants in court?
An “on the ball” eviction attorney will have the answers to these questions on the spot. Pay attention to # 4- because that should be an easy one to answer if the attorney is familiar with the Landlord Tenant Court schedule.- John@theLPA.com
* Security does NOT = Rent
Let the tenants know at the lease signing that security may not be used as rent. Then ask for their word of honor- that they will not break the agreements in your lease. Point out that if the tenant stops paying rent- even if they are giving notice to vacate asking you to use the security deposit as the rent- that they will be breaking their word of honor sealed this day with their signatures. And if this happens, you (your manager or your lawyer can be the “bad guy”) have no choice but to use the security deposit for attorneys fees to swiftly evict them and destroy any good credit they may have because if their word and their signatures are NO GOOD, why should you believe that they’ll move out when they say they will? - John N., NY
* OPEN HOUSE saves time
When I’m showing a rental property, I like to arrange it to be a multiple showing, like an open house. I set aside an hour for a particular day like a Sunday between 1 and 2PM and try to send a dozen or so customers to see the property. I bring a pile of applications with me and am prepared to answer questions about the rental. The whole time I am scrutinizing the prospects.
There is such a feeling of competition between the prospective tenants, and makes any one of them feel lucky if they are chosen. Most of them are willing to submit their application, screening fee and deposit on the spot.
This has been a great timesaver for me, and makes getting them rented a little more fun. - John N., NY
* EPA Toxic Mold Information
* Quickglance Tenant Chart
Have a chart or calendar to remind you when to send a renewal form to the tenants. Put it where you will see it and refer to it. I suggest making a spreadsheet of your tenants or the Quick Glance Tenant Chart from the Essential forms page. It’s so easy to miss those renewal dates.- John N., NY
* When screening an applicant, ask for a copy of a picture ID or drivers license. Make sure the person in front of you is the same person on the application and credit report. - John N., NY
* Make copies of rent checks
If your tenant pays buy check, make a copy of the check for your records. You may need this information for future collection efforts. In the event that a judgment is awarded in your favor, the bank account can be restrained and the money can be taken from the account. - Jan Conte-Dailey N.Y.,yourcollectionsolution.com
* Enforce Late Charges
With new tenants be ready to enforce late charges the first time your tenant pays late. If you set a precident of waiving your late charge, tenants will be offended when you want to enforce your policies in the future.- Jack K., NY
* RRR: Raise Rents Regularly
One of my biggest mistakes was not raising the rent on a yearly basis. I thought that as long as the rent was being paid, I didn’t want to rock the boat. I later realized that my properties were way under rented. I found that when I tried to increase rent, the tenants went crazy. They resented that I “all of a sudden” want to hit them with a rent increase. They felt that as “good tenants” I was punishing them for no reason.- Louis C., NY
* When executing a new lease, remember to staple an Intention to Vacate form on the back of the tenant’s lease. Reminding the tenant to give proper notice and proper move-out procedure can make your life a lot easier when it’s time to start looking for a new tenant.- Dan A., OH
* Try not to collect rent in person if you can help it. It is an opportunity for the tenant to complain or make demands. Although many landlords like to check on their property under the guise of “collecting rent”, the visit often backfires. In some cases, if the landlord fails to immediately make an issue over a lease violation he notices (such as an unauthorized pet), it can be considered as giving implied permission. So, if you collect in person, be ready to confront tenants with violations.
* Don’t flash your riches in your tenant’s face
Also, if you have a beautiful car that you are proud to be seen in- try not to rub it in the faces of your tenants. Tenants resent the a landlord who arrives in a new Mercedes to collect the hard earned rent that the tenants just scraped together. Do you think they’ll feel bad for you if they’re forced to pay late or if you are behind on your mortgage? - John N., N.Y.
* Get a signed Property Condition Report
We have found that our properties are better maintained by tenants who have signed a Condition Inspection Report at Move-In. I highly recommend it.- John N., N.Y.
* Don’t forget the Landlord Reference
Always, always verify the current and past landlord. Ask the “landlord” to just verify the address of the property the tenants are leaving from. You’d be suprised how many phoney reference “landlords” don’t even know their friend’s address or how long the tenancy was. (We now have a new Landlord Reference Qualifier coming in April 2001 to the Essential Forms list.) - John N., N.Y.
* Get tenants to show their true colors
Pay special attention to your potential tenant’s reaction when you question any red flags on his application. If you strike a nerve, they may reveal their true colors if you have a potential problem tenant on your hands. - John Como, N.Y.
* Prepare your tenant
To avoid an unprepared tenant at the lease signing, be sure to instruct him on what to bring with him beforehand. We like to always require the tenant to bring a copy of his driver’s license, social security card, and the balance due in certified funds, money order or cash. Also, if there are any other adjustments, we’ll advise them at that time. - Lou, BVR Management, Inc.
* I’ve been a landlord for over 25 years and always have had a good relationship with my tenants. Unfortunately, they become my friends soon after they become my tenants and I’ve always enjoyed their friendship. That can be very costly. How can you raise rent regularly on friends? How can you enforce your lease when they break it if you value the friendship? I’m behind in my payments because my “friend” can’t pay the rent! My advice is: try not to become close friends with tenants. - Joan M., Allentown, PA
* I have been able to eliminate a few disasters by making a reason to visit the rental applicant at their current home before signing a lease with them. I get the opportunity to view how they live. Sometimes they even invite me to stay for dinner. - J.N., Naples, FL
Posted in Landlords |
June 18th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I recognized the above webpage, Landlord Leasing Tips form the LAndlord protection Agency’s “Landlord Tips” page, http://www.thelpa.com
You can get more free tips and advice from the LPA Q&A forum at
http://www.thelpa.com/lpa/forum.html
August 9th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
These are all excellent tips. I am also a member of http://www.thelpa.com
THE best investment I ever made.
Also check out the free newsletter at http://www.thelpa.com
August 21st, 2007 at 9:16 pm
enter text? test, sorry
dfdf767df
September 9th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Array
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:17 pm
http://meta.missouri.edu/serialize/tmp/@top/viagra/generic-viagra.html
September 28th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
myfreepaysite 002ecom
November 19th, 2007 at 4:23 am
trammadol
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:59 am
celsbrex
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:17 am
lam8sil
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
somz
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
ult4ram
November 26th, 2007 at 12:24 am
tarmadol
November 26th, 2007 at 3:48 am
trawmadol
November 26th, 2007 at 5:30 am
tramadool
November 26th, 2007 at 5:45 am
tdramadol
November 28th, 2007 at 10:52 am
fluvxj vtnqo qwrd pdsrbonc hlek jelfzmqk ugyw
December 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
fredericks of hollywood coupon
January 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
ку ку
January 6th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
ку ку
January 6th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
ку ку
January 10th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hi people!!! I want introduce my new yearnew year foto.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hi people!!! I want introduce my new year foto.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 am
Hi boys!a2798aa608a5cb392929c4d05327e51a
March 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Great boys3f86eddf40233e39eeb425ff5740f29d
April 17th, 2008 at 1:56 am
c610t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
c488t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
c495t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
c561t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
c5t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
c915t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
c910t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
c514t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
c89t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
c467t
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
c380t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
c785t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
c315t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
c329t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
c646t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
c849t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
c395t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
c836t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
c423t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
c935t
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
c494t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
c738t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
c917t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
c203t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
c439t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
c10t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
c611t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
c551t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
c638t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
c679t
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
c376t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
c152t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
c332t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
c126t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
c762t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
c713t
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
c71t
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
c203t
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
c581t
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
c931t
April 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
c788t
April 25th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
c657t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
c420t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
c640t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
c717t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
c61t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
c468t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
c747t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
c730t
April 25th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
c603t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
c774t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
c596t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
c120t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
c967t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
c727t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
c623t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
c766t
April 25th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
c237t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
c760t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
c63t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
c24t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
c76t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
c499t
April 25th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
c614t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
c542t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
c581t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
c288t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
c439t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
c716t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
c606t
April 25th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
c768t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
c793t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
c744t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
c736t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
c97t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
c46t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
c23t
April 25th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
c660t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
c415t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
c328t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
c527t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
c990t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
c302t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
c375t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
c878t
April 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
c472t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
c176t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
c512t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
c46t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
c150t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
c941t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
c601t
April 25th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
c257t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
c78t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
c61t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
c556t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
c773t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
c917t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
c274t
April 25th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
c286t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:03 am
c513t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:11 am
c870t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:20 am
c290t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:28 am
c690t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:36 am
c697t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:44 am
c974t
April 26th, 2008 at 12:52 am
c37t
April 26th, 2008 at 1:01 am
c329t
April 26th, 2008 at 1:09 am
c237t
April 26th, 2008 at 1:18 am
c841t
April 26th, 2008 at 1:35 am
c61t bolivia ringtone - http://blogs.grab.com/Bolivia_Ringtv63/490777
April 26th, 2008 at 1:44 am
c663t
April 26th, 2008 at 1:52 am
c704t
April 26th, 2008 at 2:01 am
c545t
April 26th, 2008 at 3:47 am
c472t free download ringtones - http://blogs.grab.com/Free_Downloadx39/491036
April 26th, 2008 at 3:55 am
c397t
April 26th, 2008 at 4:04 am
c14t
April 26th, 2008 at 4:12 am
c296t
April 26th, 2008 at 4:21 am
c363t
April 26th, 2008 at 5:33 am
c9t
April 26th, 2008 at 5:42 am
c206t
April 26th, 2008 at 5:50 am
c847t
April 26th, 2008 at 5:58 am
c659t
April 28th, 2008 at 5:31 am
c960t
April 28th, 2008 at 5:41 am
c81t
May 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am
c807t
May 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am
c445t
May 7th, 2008 at 6:54 am
c572t
May 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Excellent work by http://www.thelpa.com
I am a member of The Landlord Protection Agency and I use LPA forms to handle all my tenants.
TheLPA rules.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:04 am
c105t
May 12th, 2008 at 2:15 am
c349t
May 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
c772t
May 13th, 2008 at 6:44 am
c804t
May 25th, 2008 at 5:06 am
c871t Shoes New Balance Tips2008 - http://www.google.com/notebook/public/02704309112764156641/BDQ9jIgoQ7qPr06Ej
May 26th, 2008 at 10:06 am
c720t
May 26th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
c804t
May 30th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
c828t
May 31st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
c687t
June 7th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
c489t Poker Games For Freee - http://www.google.com/notebook/public/10122935110512819198/BDSD6IgoQgr_ViaEj
June 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
c478t
June 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
c209t
June 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
c949t
June 10th, 2008 at 5:44 am
c356t
June 10th, 2008 at 5:56 am
c340t
June 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
c461t
June 10th, 2008 at 6:22 am
c216t
June 10th, 2008 at 6:34 am
c406t
June 10th, 2008 at 6:45 am
c770t
June 10th, 2008 at 6:57 am
c692t
June 10th, 2008 at 7:09 am
c243t
June 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
c252t
June 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
c353t
June 10th, 2008 at 7:46 am
c63t
June 10th, 2008 at 7:58 am
c965t
June 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
c293t
June 10th, 2008 at 8:21 am
c481t
June 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
c512t
June 10th, 2008 at 8:46 am
c8t
June 10th, 2008 at 8:57 am
c433t
June 10th, 2008 at 9:08 am
c785t
June 10th, 2008 at 9:20 am
c879t
June 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
c684t
June 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
c451t
June 10th, 2008 at 9:56 am
c432t
June 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
c577t
June 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
c162t
June 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
c609t
June 10th, 2008 at 10:41 am
c343t
June 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am
c965t
June 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
c45t
June 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
c828t
June 10th, 2008 at 11:30 am
c840t
June 10th, 2008 at 11:41 am
c683t
June 10th, 2008 at 11:53 am
c68t
June 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
c999t
June 10th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
c193t
June 10th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
c475t
June 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
c703t
June 10th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
c931t
June 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
c849t
June 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
c636t
June 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
c628t
June 10th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
c427t
June 10th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
c853t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
c66t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
c538t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
c51t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
c263t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
c632t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
c50t
June 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
c657t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
c532t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
c394t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
c751t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
c528t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
c638t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
c573t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
c364t
June 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
c69t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
c838t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
c183t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
c288t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
c824t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
c815t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
c739t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
c820t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
c569t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
c550t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
c300t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
c895t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
c835t
June 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
c274t
June 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
c75t
June 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
c450t
June 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
c883t