subject: Why It's Important To Have A Landlord and Tenant Lease Agreement [print this page] Why It's Important To Have A Landlord and Tenant Lease Agreement
Most people will have heard horror stories associated with leasing a house. Frequently tenants are taken advantage of by landlords wanting to earn some fast extra cash. At the opposite end of the spectrum it could be the landlord that becomes a victim, if a tenant causes damage or does not meet their rent obligations. With no legally binding agreement both sides can find that their hands are tied when it comes to resolving any form of dispute. A landlord and tenant lease agreement will protect the rights of both sides.
First of all a landlord and tenant lease agreement legally protects the tenant from various varieties of injustice as a result of the landlord. The agreement sets out exactly what is the obligation of the tenant and what is the obligation of the landlord. It ought to clearly state who will be liable for the various types of maintenance and general upkeep required by the property. The landlord and tenant agreement may also cover various other terms to be adhered to throughout the duration of the tenancy from the payment of rent to the termination of the agreement when this should become applicable. A potential tenant should make sure that they have checked and are familiar with the contents of any agreement that they are signing. Failure to think about this in a thorough manner could result in the tenant agreeing to unreasonable but binding terms.
Secondly, a landlord and tenant lease agreement legally protects the landlord from unfavorable tenants and provides the landlord the power to get rid of uncooperative tenants. The agreement covers exactly what the landlord expects from a tenant and what the landlord does not consider to be acceptable. This may refer to noise levels, property maintenance as well as the payment terms. If a tenant is found to be in breach of such terms, the landlord is within their rights to first issue a warning to the tenant but ultimately evict the tenant should their behaviour not be adjusted. It's in the interest of the landlord to create a reasonable landlord and tenant lease agreement as this in itself will bring in tenants to the property and should the opposite be true it's going to have the opposite effect. Such an agreement protects the landlord from having to endure unacceptable behaviour and tenants who refuse to cooperate.
The landlord and tenant lease agreement is beneficial to both parties, providing a starting point for resolving issues that have arisen. When any kind of dispute or question over the actions of one side arises, referring to the original agreement can help determine what had been agreed from the start . Although this will not resolve all issues, it is a good place to begin, plus it is a legally binding document that protects the rights of both sides.
