Did you know that over half of Floridians are behind on their rental or mortgage payments?
If you're dealing with a difficult tenant, then one of the ways you can protect yourself is by ensuring your lease is as enforceable as possible. This is one of the first things you should do when onboarding tenants. Once the lease is signed, then it may be too late.
Are you wondering what it involves? Keep reading to learn three important things about lease enforcement.
1. Stay Within the Law
Before you write so much as a word of a lease contract, you should familiarize yourself with Florida rental law. These rules and regulations will tell you what you can legally include in a lease and what you can't. If you try to include something that's not allowed, then it may cause the entire lease to be unenforceable.
One way you can avoid making mistakes is by having a specialized attorney look over the lease. They can let you know if there are any potential issues and what changes you should make. Another way to handle this process is by handing the responsibility over to a property management company.
Since they have everything down to a science, you can rest easy knowing the lease will be fully enforceable.
2. Make the Lease Language Clear and Detailed
Another mistake you should avoid involves vague or muddy language. You wouldn't want things left up to interpretation because that can end up working against you in a court of law.
Instead, it's worth taking the time to ensure that each sentence is clear and well-written. Typos are not only unprofessional but they could cause the lease to be null and void at the final hour.
3. Ways You Can Enforce the Lease
Do you have one or more tenants who are trying to go against the lease they signed? Whether they're late on rent or engaging in illegal activity, you can start the enforcement process by providing them with a written warning.
This warning should be as clear and detailed as the lease itself. You can also give them a verbal warning if that's more convenient for you. However, you shouldn't forget to document the fact that you gave a verbal warning.
It can also be helpful to note key points in the conversation. This will come in handy if you get the point of evicting them.
Are You Ready to Excel at Lease Enforcement?
Now that you've learned all about three important things relating to lease enforcement, you can ensure that your leases are foolproof. The last thing you'd want is for them to not hold up when scrutinized by a legal professional.
If you'd like the weight of managing properties lifted from your shoulders, look no further than Gulf Coast Property Management. We proudly serve many key areas in Florida, including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Venice.
To learn more and ask questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to serving you.
.png)