Bad tenants are a landlord's worst nightmare because they can cost you time and money. Having a strong lease can mitigate these risks.
Lease enforcement is the process of ensuring your tenants are following their contractual obligations and taking the necessary corrective measures when there's a violation. To protect yourself and your property, make sure your lease is enforceable.
When moving new tenants in, a lease needs to have all of the important details of rental living. Once the lease is signed by all parties, it's legally binding.
Before you enforce your lease policy, it's important to know these things:
Understand Denver Rental Laws
There are lease terms you legally cannot add to an agreement. Familiarize yourself with Denver rental laws to ensure your lease is enforceable.
A rental property management company can help you look over the lease. Working with a contract attorney is also a perk. These professionals will let you know if there are any changes you should make.
In addition to Denver laws, it's important to follow federal laws. The Fair Housing Act law protects renters from discrimination. You cannot set different terms for different tenants.
Write the Lease With Clear Language
Lease violations are common when the lease agreement is ambiguous. Don't let tenants leave anything up to interpretation. If it comes down to a lawsuit, the court may side with the tenant because your lease isn't clear.
Write a lease with clear and detailed language to reduce your risk of disputes. Having a property manager or lawyer go over it can help you avoid typos and incorrect provisions.
Typos are unprofessional. However, they can also cause the lease to become null and void.
Provide a Written Warning
Bad tenants can make your life difficult as a landlord. Property damage and nonpayment of rent can happen even with an airtight lease agreement.
A property manager can begin the eviction process on your behalf for a bad tenant. Using Denver eviction laws, they will first provide a written warning.
The warning must be clear and detailed. It will tell the tenant to eradicate the problem or move out of the unit. If they fail to fix the problem within a certain timeframe, you can move forward with filing an eviction lawsuit.
Tenant evictions are complicated, long processes. However, if you have legal grounds for eviction, it's important to express your rights.
A property manager will understand the local laws and can handle the process for you from start to finish. You can be a hands-free landlord and still have peace of mind that your property is in good hands.
Let Us Handle Lease Enforcement
Lease enforcement is a key component of owning a rental property. To outsource these services, work with Laureate Ltd.
Our property management company has been in business since 1982. We've helped Denver landlords like you create lease agreements, enforce them, and evict tenants when necessary.
We also offer tenant screening services to prevent bad tenants in the first place. Our experience and resources are unmatched. Contact us today for a tailored property management strategy.
