Re: feedback - Landlord Forum thread

Re: feedback by Ultimate M-Bone on November 4, 2009 @17:44

Just so you know, a lease is not a month to month rental agreement. So if you are doing month to month agreements, you should call it that. A lease is a fixed term agreement, ie., 12 months.

It sounds like you handled yourself professionaly with that one. Basically, keep your tenants in check, remind them they are not the boss and are not permitted to call any shots or make demands. After all they should be at your mercy with a month to month rental, all it takes is a 30 day notice "I don't like you, move".

As for the other tenants, when you are ready to increase their rent, that would be a good time to ruffle their feathers with a new rental agreement. Until then, leave them in peace as long as they are being good.

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Re: feedback by anonymous (IL) on November 4, 2009 @18:31

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So then all the old leases that have reverted are considered agreements now, I gotta remember that. I've had to explain to a few tenants over the years that even though the lease reverted m2m, that the original lease clauses remain in effect, with the exception of rent/late fees increasing over time. None fussed when we enacted late fees & raised rents over time, it was all handled with addendums. I guess I'm being overly concerned with the new clauses for the old tenants.

Here's some of the stuff the old leases don't address:

1. me being the LL agent
2. no appliance repair clause(addendum issued)
3. no glass breakage clause(addendum issued)
4. no late fee clause(addendum issued)
5. no renters ins clause
6. have a no pet clause, but not as detailed as the new one
7. no sec dep return timing clause
8. no outdoor playground equip(trampolines, pools, etc)
9. no limit to overnight guests(hence why 2 apts are "revolving doorish" when it comes to them)
10. no clause stating yearly rent increases, let alone any for issuing notices, etc.

These all seem like fairly big clauses to not have covered, thats why I was debating new agreements.

Re: feedback by Ultimate M-Bone on November 4, 2009 @19:05	[ Reply ]
You could create an addendum that is added to the existing agreement with all of these clauses that you would like to add. Also make note in it that reads, your continued occupancy after ____Date (30 days) of when tenant receives this notice will constitute acceptance of this addendum and is added to the original rental agreement.

Re: feedback by anonymous (IL) on November 4, 2009 @19:50	[ Reply ]
yeah, might do that instead, but it'll be a REALLY LONG addendum, LOL. Will definitely add the last tidbit as well

Re: feedback by Jack Klein (NY) on November 4, 2009 @20:22

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Why go through all that trouble when you can just download an LPA Lease/Rental Agreement?
You're on the right website.

I know some people have a real issue about what to call the agreement: lease or rental agreement.

Most of the people on the board feel a lease is for a fixed term and a rental agreement = month to month.

I recommend the LPA Lease which you can use month to month or fixed term. I prefer fixed term. I usually have long term tenants and they tend to stay a while. I don't like vacancies and turnover, so I don't give them less than a 2 year lease.
Some will argue about m/m being better, but I disagree. With the amount of properties I have I can't afford to have month to month tenancies. The lease gives me more stability.
All I can say is if a m/m works better for you use it.

Re: feedback by anonymous (IL) on November 4, 2009 @21:42

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I downloaded all the forms when I became a member about 6 mo ago. The newer leases now read like the LPA lease. That covers any new tenants in the last 6 mo, not the older tenants. I'd have to increase the LPA leases font size to be able to read it myself, thus making it almost 6 pages long, which might scare a tenant off. Kinda sucks turning 40, bifocals needed & no medical/vision. Good thing I don't drive. But maybe after the holidays, I can get me some specs because it's killing me that I can't do my favorite things(crossword's & sudoku's).

Re: feedback

Re: feedback by Ultimate M-Bone on November 5, 2009 @00:25	[ Reply ]
I am not trying to make an issue out of a lease vs month to month. Just thought that people should know and understand the difference between them.

Re: feedback by Anonymous on November 4, 2009 @21:09

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If you want you can everyone sign a new month to month agreement with new clauses, although you may get some people trying to resist signing something and be put in situation of let it go or force the issue and make them sign or terminate their lease. Alternatively, even though it may be long, I would yearly have new addendum with new rent price and any new or updated clauses. Since they are on month to month make sure to add wordage so that it takes effect in 30 days and if they stay they are accepting terms otherwise they can give 30 day notice to terminate lease. That way since you should be revising lease terms yearly, you keep everyone up to date on the same terms.