Legal Rental Agreement
A legal rental agreement is a contract between a landlord and tenant that spells out the terms of the rental arrangement. Both parties must be of legal age and competent in order to sign the legally binding agreement. There are a several components that are included in a legal rental agreement.
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Rental Property
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A legal rental agreement includes a description of the rental property. This includes the address and the unit or apartment number. The description can also include the name of the apartment complex and any other identifying aspects.
Length of Agreement
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The landlord includes the length of the rental period in the agreement. Rental agreements are typically month to month, according to Nolo.com, a legal information site. The lease automatically renews every month unless the tenant or landlord gives prior notice that the agreement is to be terminated.
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Rent and Deposits
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The amount of rent is included in the legal rental agreement as well as when it's due, such as the first of the month. Accepted payment methods for the rent may also be included in the agreement. The amount of deposits and fees should be outlined clearly, including the criteria for the tenant to get his security deposit back when the rental agreement ends.
Occupancy
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A legal rental agreement should list all the adult tenants that are renting the property and how long guests are allowed to stay. Each adult listed is legally responsible for the terms outlined in the agreement. This includes the entire amount of the rent, even if the other adult occupants don't pay their share of the rent or move out. Each adult tenant is also responsible for the condition of the property. The rental agreement will also specify if pets are allowed to occupy the property.
Landlord Rights
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The landlord should clearly state in the agreement when she has the right to enter the rental property to do repairs or for other reasons. The tenant should expect sufficient prior notice from the landlord regarding her entering the rental.
Upkeep and Repairs
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A legal rental agreement defines the tenant's responsibilities regarding the property. The tenant may be responsible for lawn care and snow removal on the premises. It should also state whether a tenant has the approval of the landlord to make alterations to the rental like painting the walls or installing a burglar system. The agreement also defines the landlord's obligations for repairs and maintenance of the property.
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References
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