Sample Rental Agreement Including All Addendums: Fill & Download for Free

The question does not mention whether the concern is with existing tenants or with potential tenant applicants - we have to do things a bit differently with existing tenants.Starting here with dealing with existing tenants. With an existing tenant, you are stuck with the existing lease agreement until the time of renewal, unless you can get the tenant to agree to a mid-lease amendment or addendum. So you have to somehow regularly inspect the rental unit in order to view if the tenant is taking good care of things inside; the exterior should be simpler if the tenant has responsibility for exterior care (mowing grass or snow removal for example).You can give the tenant the required advance notice that you plan to visit for an inspection. There are some other ways to "inspect" that aren't announced in advance as an inspection per se: testing smoke alarms (should be one in each bedroom) and GFCIs (should be found in kitchens and baths) so you have reason to enter all rooms; escorting a pest control service to treat the rental unit (again so you have reason to enter all rooms), and quarterly or more frequent pest control treatments are common for rentals; if the municipality has a regular inspection requirement you escort the building inspectors. Some landlords use changing furnace filters as a reason, but that only gets you into the space where the furnace is located if the tenant is insisting on limited access, and that does not work with radiators or electric baseboard heat.With prospective tenant applicants, you have a few more possible things you can do before you approve them. The single most important thing is an in home visit to their existing residence. There are a few situations where I don't visit the prospect's existing residence, such as when they are living with parents or when they are relocating quite a distance for a new job. But I make it a point to visit their existing residence when practical, usually justifying that visit with something involving the application paperwork (one of the reasons I don't use online applications). And you especially want to visit if the tenant has any pets.Why the in home visit to their existing residence? Because after a bit of time that is the way your place will be looking if you approve that tenant. You have to sometimes differentiate between messy living versus the tenant having started to pack things into boxes. But your nose will be able to smell things. Your eyes will see cobwebs and "dust bunnies". You can see the dust on the TV screen. Some landlords even insist on looking into the kitchen and baths because those can be the dirtiest spaces. So now you know why.Then you want to have some section in the lease that addresses Housekeeping. I have a Housekeeping Adendum that I derived from the Housekeeping Addendum that is used by a typical USA Public Housing Authority (that manages Section 8 tenants). I suggest starting with that Housekeeping Addendum because it is pretty thorough, and you can find them online for free. One thing that you also have to consider is how to handle hoarders, should you end up with one somehow. Because hoarding is now classified as a disability, and disabled persons are a protected class under Fair Housing regulations - so you have to be prepared to make "reasonable accommodations" for those who are disabled, including hoarders. Below is a link to a sample housekeeping addendum:Housekeeping - Public HousingThere are other things to do as well. Create a property move in condition and inventory report, itemizing what the conditions of the rental unit actually are. That can be used in comparisons to future conditions to see what the tenant has inflicted upon that rental unit.Have a property maintenance system in place; not everything having to do with a property's condition is the tenant's responsibility - the landlord has some responsibility too. There should be some way for the tenant to submit maintenance requests and for the landlord to address those.And let's not forget the neighbors; become friendly with the neighbors so that in the event that the tenant starts slipping up on taking care of things, the neighbors might be inclined to let you know.Whether the rent is high or low or typical should not matter - the tenant has an obligation to take care of certain things and should do so. Of course, if you value the tenant sufficiently, you might consider keeping any rent increases modest to encourage the tenant to stay - but that is a totally different topic.

A Checklist for Landlords With Tenants Moving OutA checklist can help ease the stress of tenant move-out. It makes both sides aware of the expectations. Landlords can customize this checklist to meet the specific needs of their property. The items on this list should include the condition the rental property should be left in, as well as any additional move-out procedures and obligations. Your tenant should provide notice that they intend to move out of your rental unit. Most often this is in the form of a letter but you may specify it be delivered in another format in your lease.Check with your local landlord/tenant laws to see how much notice the tenant should give before they vacate a rental unit.Move-Out ChecklistA tenant move-out checklist is a form that landlords should attach as a rider (also called an addendum) to the original lease agreement. This checklist provides instructions for the tenant on the procedures and the tasks they need to complete when they vacate your property.Every landlord's move-out checklist can be different. Some like to break down detailed procedures by room, while others only provide general terms of what is expected.Why It's ImportantMove-out checklists are especially important when it comes to the security deposit. Security deposit disputes are a big issue between landlords and tenants. If the tenant understands the proper procedures for move-out, including the condition they are supposed to leave the rental property in, it will help minimize these issues. Following these instructions, and adhering to the terms of their lease, will help ensure the tenant receives their security deposit back in full.Tailor your checklist to meet your own specific needs and the specific needs of your property.Sample Move-Out Checklist_____ Please call 3-5 days prior to your move-out to schedule your inspection_____ Apartment must be broom swept clean, mopped, and vacuumed_____ All kitchen(s) and bathroom(s) must be completely clean_____ All walls must be clean and painted the same color as before tenancy began (Unless Tenant has been given prior written permission from Landlord)_____ Vacuum and clean any/all carpet(s)_____ Clean all windows_____ Remove all of your personal possessions and belongings._____ No trash shall be left behind; Do NOT leave garbage at the curb_____ If applicable, all exterior areas shall be cleaned of debris and left clean_____ If applicable, exterior lawn and landscaping shall be presentable_____ Leave all kitchen appliances, window treatments, phone jacks, etc._____ All keys shall be returned at the inspection_____ All light fixtures are to work properly with working light bulbs_____ All electricity is to work properly_____ All plumbing is to be free of any leaks or blockages_____ All heating is to be working properly_____ All smoke alarm(s) and carbon monoxide alarm(s) shall be working properly_____ Leave ALL utilities on until your move-out inspection has completed_____ Make landlord aware of any damage or issues inside the rental unitAll of the aforementioned items need to be done PRIOR to your move-out inspection so that you can RECEIVE YOUR FULL SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK (less any withholding from earlier tenancy). Any and all repairs, repainting, trash removal, cleaning, and/or any other expenses that are attributed to restoring your home to its condition prior to your tenancy will be deducted from your Security Deposit.If additional money is needed to restore said home, Landlord will send Tenant a bill and/or file a legal suit for said money in court. Your Security Deposit will be mailed within 30 days of your move-out inspection to the address you provide Landlord (if no new address is given, any remaining Security Deposit money will be mailed to the current mailing address and the Post Office will be responsible for forwarding any/all mail to your new listed address). Please also note the replace/repair cost(s) for items you leave in disarray.Please remember to deliver your home in the same condition it was in prior to your tenancy. This will ensure YOU RECEIVE THE MOST MONEY POSSIBLE!Good luck with your move.Tenant(s) ________________________________ Date _________________________Tenant(s) ________________________________ Date _________________________