Picture a high school with a principal who has a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian. Now picture the school falling apart when she leaves for a day.
A landlord is like their property's principal. Lease enforcement isn't about being a hard-nose. It's about upholding the standards of the agreements you and your tenants set so that everyone can live in harmony.
Read on to learn how to approach lease enforcement in East Brunswick rentals.
Create a Comprehensive Lease Agreement
Enforcing a lease starts with the way it's written. It should be clear and cover everything, including:
- Duration of the tenancy
- Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities
- Rent amount and payment schedules
- Late payment policies
- Quiet hours
- Pet policies or other restrictions
- Provisions for resolving landlord-tenant disputes
Speak to the tenant to make sure they understand the terms. Any miscommunications could be used as ammunition if they take you to court.
Know the Law
Important tenant rights include the right to:
- Safe and clean environments
- Repairs
- Privacy
- Complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions
- Freedom from discrimination
One of the most important laws to know is The Fair Housing Act. It prevents landlords from refusing tenants based on protected categories such as:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
These are only a few basics. Keep your lease enforcement and creation process up to all federal and local standards.
Keep Up With Inspections and Maintenance
Maintainenence protects your investment and relationship with your tenants. Regular inspections identify lease violations and allow for quick responses.
Property inspection and maintenance responsibilities should be part of your lease agreement. Include information about when inspections happen and who's responsible for maintaining what.
Respond to Lease Violations
There are ways to reduce the number of lease violations you'll have to deal with. Proper tenant screening and clear communication are two of the best.
Respond to any lease violations as soon as possible. Warnings may suffice in small cases, but serious violations require more drastic action.
2023 saw over 10,100 families per month evicted in New Jersey alone. There are several legal justifications for this, including:
- Non-payment of rent
- Violations of the terms of the lease
- Breach of contract
- Illegal actions
Landlords must give a written notice to quit to their tenants. It lets them know they need to fix their behavior or get out.
Tenants who want to end a lease early also need to provide a written notice to their landlord. They're also responsible for paying any back rent or fees owed. Exceptions include military deployment, work relocation, and domestic violence.
Coming up with a compromise is better than breaking a lease. Tenants may lose their security deposit, see their credit score drop, and face a permanent blight on their rental history. Landlords lose income from the vacant property and have to spend time and money finding a new tenant.
Who Can Help Me With Lease Enforcement?
Lease enforcement means holding yourself and your tenants to the standards of your agreement. That includes keeping the property well-maintained and confronting anyone who violates the terms the document lays out.
CMS Property Management has a team of dedicated, experienced professionals. We're committed to helping every property owner achieve success. Contact us about our property management services today.