Humans start making agreements with each other when they're children. Haven't you ever pinky-promised anything?
These agreements get more serious as we get older. Leases are one of the most serious. These contracts keep a roof over a tenant's head and give a landlord a steady income.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about lease enforcement at your rentals in Punta Gorda, FL.
Create a Clear Agreement
Start by drafting a lease agreement that's as clear and easy to understand as possible. Look over it thoroughly for typos or illegal clauses that could make it unenforceable.
Include clauses about anything and everything related to the property. This includes:
- Payment amounts and due dates
- Late fees
- Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities
- Maintenance schedules
- Security deposits
- Consequences for violations
Set up a continual line of communication about the lease terms. A small misunderstanding can turn into a court battle later.
Find out if there's anything that needs to be altered. You can change the lease at any time. This can be through a new agreement or an amendment to the original one.
Screen Every Applicant
The best way to weed out a bad tenant is by checking their credit, employment, and rental history. That's why you need to perform a background check on every applicant.
This protects other tenants and the financial stability of your investment. It's also a proactive way to prevent lease violations. Responsible tenants who pass the screening process are more likely to understand and follow the rules.
Keep Up With Maintenance
A lease is a two-way agreement, and landlords must uphold their end of the bargain. That includes inspections and maintenance. Have a lease policy that says when these inspections happen and notify your tenants before coming in.
Look for any lease violations or property damages and fix them before they become a major issue. It keeps your property safe and your tenants happy.
Take the Right Steps to Handle Violations
Common lease violations include:
- Unauthorized pets
- Long-term guests
- Late or unpaid rent
- Property damage
- Commercial use of the property
Remain calm if you notice these issues and send a written warning. Try to talk to them and reach an agreement. You may even want to bring along a neutral third party to help.
Breaking a lease is a lose-lose situation. It leaves landlords with lost income and a vacancy to fill. Tenants lose security deposits and face damage to their credit score and rental history.
If the violations continue, you may have no choice but to move to the legal side of lease enforcement. Legal reasons to evict a tenant in Punta Gorda include unpaid rent, committing illegal acts, and violating the lease agreement.
You must provide the tenant with a three-day notice to vacate for unpaid rent or a seven-day notice for other violations. If they don't correct their behavior by then, you can file an eviction suit.
Help With Lease Enforcement
Lease enforcement requires a clear agreement enforced with the right legal procedures, and that requires a team.
PMI Stingray Homes offers full-service property management services. We seek to increase the value of your assets over time and get you the maximum amount of monthly rent to help it grow. Contact us about our services today.
