Written Residential Lease Agreements

Residential lease agreements between landlords and tenants can be either written or verbal. But, the written form is generally preferred because it offers the following advantages…

Advantages of Written Residential Lease Agreements

• A written lease creates a much clearer understanding of all the rules and guidelines stipulated in the lease. This makes it easier for the tenant to be aware of them and less apt to violate them due to lack of knowledge.
• All of the rules and regulations of the tenancy can be clearly spelled out in black and white. This fact makes their existence much easier to prove in court should the need ever arise. In other words, it prevents (or greatly reduces) the fiasco of a judge having to weigh one persons testimony against another's.
• None of the lease's written stipulations can be changed during the term of the lease. Lease terms can only be changed while the lease is in force if both parties agree to the proposed change(s).
• A written lease creates a more "business like" relationship between landlord and tenant. The tenant (a good one) will feel more obligated to perform his or her end of the bargain.

With all this being said, having a quality written lease that complies with all local and state laws will not be enough to prevent problems if the tenant who signed it is a bad tenant who wasn't properly screened from the start. A written lease will only be effective if the tenant who is bound by its terms is qualified, honest and ethical.

For more in-depth information about lease agreements, please visit The Landlord's Library book collection. It's the ultimate, one-stop source for practical, comprehensive information on the entire subject of residential landlording.

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