We cannot emphasize the importance of keeping your rental lease up-to-date enough. Whenever you make home improvements, review your lease to ensure it reflects your current rental situation. Keeping your contact up-to-date will help you avoid legal liabilities.

While you should review your rental lease every time a new tenant moves in, there are some special situations where it becomes increasingly important to review your rental lease. Meeting with a contract attorney in Sonoma County to review your lease can save you from a headache in the future.

You Acquired a New Rental Property 

Before renting out a new rental property, you need to create a new lease. You cannot use your existing lease as every property is different and requires a unique lease.

Depending on your new rental property’s location and type, you may want to include new terms in your lease. Additionally, you must set a new rental price for your property and a new lease will reflect these changes.

If you want to use an existing agreement, work with a contract attorney to tailor it to accommodate the new property’s specifics.

You Want to Make Environmental Disclosures 

Hazards such as asbestos, radon, lead, and mold can pose serious health risks to tenants. Landlords are legally required to disclose these, and other, hazards in the lease agreement.

If your lease does not include a list of environmental hazards that may be present on the rental property, update it as soon as possible or you may find yourself subject to considerable liability.

Your Property Incurred Severe Damage 

If your property incurred severe damage and you have had it cleaned and certified safe for living, you may want to update your lease to include this information. If you expect to conduct ongoing renovations, inform your tenants and include additional clauses relating to the remodel.

Your State Government Modifies Laws and Regulations Regulating Tenancy 

Whenever your local government changes laws regulating tenancy, introduce necessary changes in your lease to ensure it is legally binding. At a minimum, your lease should be reevaluated by an experienced contract attorney whenever tenancy laws and regulations change.

You Allow a Tenant to Sublet 

When you allow a tenant to sublet, remember to modify your lease. Specify in the agreement that you are consenting to your tenant subletting the unit. If a tenant transfers all of their lease rights to a third party, include this information in the agreement.

If a person moves-in with your tenant, add them to the lease. Ideally, you should add the information related to the assignment and subletting at the beginning of a lease term.

Want to evict a tenant but do not know where to start? Let the Law Office of Stephen M. Beckwith help. Stephen M. Beckwith is one of the most respected contract attorneys in Sonoma County. No matter how complex your case, he will craft a legal solution to fit your specific legal needs.  To consult with him, call (707) 526-5454.