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1. Do not rent to anyone before checking their credit history, references, and background. Screening applicants will save you from problems, such as a tenant who pays the rent late, or does not pay at all, or trashes your place, or moves in undesirable friends, or even worse.
2. Get all important terms of the agreement in writing. Begin with the Rental Application and Rental Agreement and be sure to document all important facts of what is agreed upon - including when and how you handle tenant’s complaints and repair problems, notice the landlord must give to tenant to enter the rental unit, etc. Our professionally designed Landlord and Tenant Form Packages are designed to help you create the best agreement in your situation.
3. Establish a clear, fair system of setting, collecting, holding, and returning security deposits.
4. Inspect and document the condition of the unit before moving in, and before moving out. The Landlord-Tenant Checklist provided in both, Tenant’s and Landlord’s form-packages in our web-site is very useful. Filling out the form during the walk-through WILL save you time and money. We guarantee it.
5. Landlord: Stay on top of repairs and maintenance. If the property is not kept in good repair, you will alienate good tenants. Your tenants might have a right to withhold rent, sue or any injuries caused by defective conditions, or move out without notice.
6. Landlord: Do not let your tenants and property be easy targets for criminals. You could be liable for your tenant’s losses. Landlords are sued more than any other group of business owners in the country. The average settlement paid by a landlord’s insurance company is $600,000, and the average award provided by a jury is $1.2 million.
7. Landlord: Respect your tenant’s privacy. Notify tenants at least 24 hours before you plan to enter their home - earlier, if possible. Entry without a notice is allowed only in emergency situations, such as a leak, fire, or other matter that requires immediate attention.
8. Landlord: Disclose environmental hazards, such as lead. Landlords are increasingly being held liable for tenant health problems that result from exposure to environmental poisons in the rental unit. If you know about any possible health hazards, you need to notify your tenant.
9. Purchase enough liability and property insurance. A good insurance program can protect your property from losses caused by fire, storms, burglary, vandalism, and also from personal injury liability and discrimination lawsuits.
10. Try to resolve disagreements without lawyers and lawsuits. If there is a conflict over repairs, rent, or other such matter, meet with the Landlord/Tenant to see if the problem can be resolved informally. If that doesn’t work, consider mediation by a neutral third party, often available at little or no cost from a publicly funded program. If your dispute involves money and all attempts to reach an agreement fail, try small claims court where you don’t need a lawyer to represent you.
11. Get help. Many Landlords and Tenants belong to a local or state association. These organizations range from small, volunteer-run groups to substantial city, county, or even statewide organizations. Many offer a wide variety of support and services to their members, such as
- Legal information and updates
- Tenant screening and credit checks
- Training and practical advice
- Referrals to knowledgeable and reasonably priced professionals (lawyers, accountants)
If you can’t find a local association, you can contact associations such as
National Apartment Association
4300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22203
Tel. (703-518-6141
www.naahq.org
or
National Multi-Housing Counsil
1850 M Street
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202)974-2300
www.nmhc.org
Below is a link to Attorney General Information on Tenant’s Rights
http://www.ag.state.nd.us/Brochures/FactSheet/TenantRights.pdf
And Findlaw web-site for more information about Tenant’s Rights
http://realestate.findlaw.com/tenant/
We update this list regularly. Please feel free to see the latest web-references.
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