At its most basic level, a rental or lease contract is an agreement between two parties – the tenant who uses the property and the landlord who owns it. This contract spells out each party’s rights and responsibilities, outlining things like rental rates, rental periods, maintenance responsibilities, security deposits, and other terms that are specific to your situation.
While you may be able to draft your own rental contract on your own or with the help of friends or family members, many people choose to work with a lawyer instead. A lawyer can ensure that all aspects of the agreement are fully compliant with relevant laws and regulations, helping to protect you from potential legal issues down the road.
Additionally, a lawyer can help to mediate any disagreements that may arise between you and your landlord during the course of the rental period, helping to avoid costly and time-consuming legal battles. In some cases, having a lawyer draft your rental contract can even help to get you a better deal on rent or other terms of the agreement.
Here are 6 common things that lease agreements should cover:
- Rental rates and rental periods: A rental contract should clearly spell out the rental rates and rental periods, including details like how often rent is paid and whether there are any penalties for late payments.
- Maintenance responsibilities: The rental contract should specify who is responsible for maintaining common areas, such as shared laundry rooms or parking lots, and what types of repairs each tenant is responsible for.
- Security deposits: Your rental contract should include information about how much security deposit you need to pay, when it will be due, and what conditions must be met in order for you to get your deposit back at the end of the rental period.
- Subletting: If you plan on subletting your rental unit to someone else, such as a roommate or family member, be sure to include this information in the contract.
- Pets: If you have a pet, be sure to include information about whether or not they are allowed in the rental unit and what, if any, restrictions apply.
- Smoking: Many landlords now prohibit smoking in rental units, so be sure to include this information in your contract if it is relevant to your situation.
As you can see, there are many important details that need to be included in a rental contract. By working with a lawyer, you can rest assured that all of these details will be taken care of, giving you peace of mind during your rental period.
If you have any questions about rental contracts or other legal matters, be sure to contact a lawyer today. At Amanica, they have years of experience helping rental property owners and tenants alike with all aspects of rental contracts, property law, and other legal matters related to rental properties. So whether you’re a landlord looking for help drafting a rental contract or a tenant in need of legal advice, contact them today at (888) 744-5102.
