Landlord Resources | Free landlord forms, investor advice, tenant tips
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Landlording can be rewarding if... you know what to do.
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You've found the resource site for landlords - by landlords, for landlords. All the resources can be downloaded ,edited and printed for your own use. Join our "Landlord Q.& A. Blog" which allows you to post your questions and comments and suggestions for other landlords to read and contribute. This is an open forum for landlords to help other landlords. It is free to join and free to read. The next section offers many common and essential forms. Click through the entire site for more in-depth articles and specific forms that pertain to your current and future needs. Enjoy your business !
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Use a rental application form to gather pertinent information to be collected including previous landlord contact information, current employment status, references, applicant's credit and banking information. By asking for a completed rental application some potential "problem" tenants may pre-screen themselves and not waste your time if they know that you will follow up on their personal information they provide. Use in conjunction with a Credit Check |
A residential lease may contain terms and conditions that may have been agreed to by both parties at the time of signing but may not actually be legally binding in certian jurisdictions. Be sure to check with your regional residential landlord-tenant agency to see if all of the terms you have in your formal lease are venforceable. This is a fairly comprehensive lease applicable to most areas and for most residential leasing situations. |
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You will need permission from the applicant to do a background and credit check on them. Use the information collected from their credit check and the references they provide to do a background check. Assess the applicant's credit worthiness and his or her history of paying their debts and obligations. Ask for the bureau's help in assessing the information if you need to. Many landlords collect the credit bureau fee from the applicant up front along with the application. |
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A "Guarantor" is a person who has agreed to guarantee the lease and terms of the landlord and the financial obligations of a tenant. Use the Guarantor form when you have an applicant who seems to have a sketchy background, financially or otherwise, but still appears to be a good candidate for tenancy. You may choose to do a background and credit check on the guarantor as well to determine his or her ability to pay any unforeseen debt created by the tenant. This is added security for you - the landlord. |
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Add an addendum form to any lease or rental agreement to add , terms or conditions that are not covered already in the standard lease document. Add a written line into the lease noting this addendum as part of the lease and have both parties initial the added clause. Note in the lease that if any point contained in the addendum in conflicts with the content of the lease that the addendum takes precidence. Sign and date the addendum. |
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There are many ways to send a notice to your tenants about an increase in his or her rent, problems they are causing, or just about anything you have to communicate to them. Generally any written note or letter will suffice as proper notice but for the overly cautious landlord, you may choose to use a pre-formatted notices, letter, and forms supplied by your local State or Provincial landlord-tenant governing agency. When giving notices to tenants be sure to do so in writing and deliver it to the tenant in accordance with the law. |
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Renting to students can be extremely lucrative but it does have obvious drawbacks. You will be dealing with relatively young people who often are away from home for the first time in their lives. Their housekeeping skills and their maturity level may be challenge for the inexperienced landlord. To remain sane you will have to learn what to expect and how to handle when you choose to rent to students. Having a student provide a guarantor for their lease may be one way to ensure a better tenant and landlord relationship. |
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Landlords can often avoid future problems with tenants if they provide the tenant at the outset with a welcome kit of sorts. In this kit would be pertinent information and resources that the tenant may need or would appreciate. At the very least you should provide a tenant with an information letter that outlines contact information and instructions for how to pay their rent and what to do in the case of an emergency. A more detailed tenant welcome kit may provide written instructions on how to use the facilities, appliances, thermostst, and about local attractions, public transit, and even where to dispose of waste and recycleables. |
Notices and instructions to tenants should be in writing to avoid potential misunderstandings and confusion. For legal matters and in conflict situations be sure to deliver the notice properly as required by your local State or Provincial regulators. Credit Bureaus and Landlord-Tenant agencies can and will provide you with basic information and procedures...but don't expect advice. Legal advice should be only from a lawyer or a landlord helpline. |
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Use this letter to inform your tenant that he or she is late with the rent and that immediate action is required in order to avoid being sent to collections. There are two letters here - one as an initial notice of late rent iand the second letter is a collection notice with stronger wording and instructions about what will happen if the tenant fails to resond in a timely manner with full payment. Some jurisdictions have a form for landlords to use when serving tenants notice of late rent. |
