META NAME="Description" CONTENT="Fort Worth property management at its best. Let First Choice Property Management's experienced Fort Worth property managers care for your Fort Worth rental home. If you are looking for a Fort Worth home for rent search our available rentals quickly and easily." />
Your choice for Fort Worth Property Management

1st Choice Property Management
June 2016:Using Effective Documentation
Today, when you buy or rent a property, the amount of paperwork required is often staggering. Once upon a time, an agreement to purchase or rent a property was one page, but now the basic agreement is multiple pages often accompanied by multiple disclosures or addendums.
In any area of the country, it is increasingly important in today's investment market that the rental documents can withstand legal action. Increased landlord/tenant disputes have promoted longer and more detailed agreements. The paperwork we use in our company is continually evolving and changing because we recognize the importance of keeping up with the changes in our industry. This is why we join professional organizations and attend seminars and workshops with our peers, so that we can obtain and implement the most current information and practices.
There are certain documents that are a necessity and the first is a comprehensive rental agreement, whether it is a lease or a month-to-month agreement. While most states still recognize a verbal agreement as legal between a property owner and tenant, the majority require a written agreement for real estate/property management companies. Whether it is an individual or a professional property manager managing the property, an effective written agreement is the only sensible course of action.
Although rental agreements incorporate as much documentation as possible, there are certain issues that require necessary addendums to be included. Examples of addenda are mold, pet, and property condition. Legislation can require an addendum, such as lead-based paint for properties built prior to January 1, 1979. While some are standard, the physical attributes of the property can determine further documentation - for example, an addendum for a pool.
Consider the impact of property tax
Certain elements are necessary in rental documents to make them effective and here are some crucial ones.
  • The documents must be legal. The rental agreement must comply with current legislation - whether federal, state, or local. Written notices, the term of the agreement, amount of the security deposit and rent, habitability, and the right of the landlord to enter are just a few examples that are normally determined by federal and state law. When new legislation occurs, it is vital to implement changes to the rental documentation immediately.
  • The documents should be readable. If an attorney is the only one who can understand the content because of complicated "legalese," it could create future tenant problems. While incorporating the legal content into the rental agreement is a key issue, it is just as important that all parties can read and understand what they are signing. After all, it is a binding agreement between property owner and tenant.
  • Rental documents should clearly define the terms of the agreement. Examples are definition of landlord/owner and tenant, the property manager's authority, the financial obligations of the tenant, when funds are due, and whether it is a lease or month-to-month agreement.
  • The documents should include the accountability of all parties involved. It is necessary to include items such as compliance with local, state, and federal laws, use of premises, abandonment, assignment and subletting, maintenance, substance abuse, etc.
  • The owner and/or the owner's authorized agent and all tenants of legal age must sign the documents. If signatures are missing, it is not binding to those who do not sign.
Every year, more landlord/tenant issues become new court decisions and legislation, whether federal, state, or local. One of our primary company goals is to stay in tune with current events and incorporate what is necessary into our rental documents so that we can provide the best possible management service to you.
Serving You

Rob Kazen RMP®
Broker
rob@1stchoicepm.com

Lynnette Sibley
Assistant Property Manager

lynette@1stchoicepm.com

Leslie Kazen
Assistant Property Manager

leslie@1stchoicepm.com

Sylvia Arrambide
Leasing Agent

sylvia@1stchoicepm.com

 

Angela Brainard
Property Manager

angela@1stchoicepm.com

Chris Hogan
Maintenance Coordinator

chris@1stchoicepm.com

Street Address
5750 Rufe Snow Drive, Suite 160
North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Phone: (817) 281-1300

Website: 1stChoicePM.com

 

The material provided in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice.
Although we believe this material is accurate, we cannot guarantee that it is 100% without errors.

Services Provided By Property Management Newsletters