Owning a rental property can be a great investment. However, there's a lot to keep in mind when it comes to renting out your investment property.
From applications to legal documents, move-out checklists and everything in between, our team of professional Property Managers in Central Florida weigh in on the top 10 documents to keep handy:
1. Application
This might be the most important piece of paperwork when it comes to renting out an investment property. A typical application will include a variety of different components, but here are a few pieces to give you a better idea of some of the items that should be included:
Contact information
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Social security number
- Birthday
- Include current and former addresses.
- Make sure it also includes the applicant's driver's license or ID number too.
Employment history
You'll want the potential tenant's employer information, along with their current salary to ensure they meet the requirements of your property.
Authorization to release information
This form gives you permission to run credit and a criminal screening, as well as landlord references and employment information.
2. Emergency contact
You'll want this information on file if for some reason you are unable to get a hold of your tenant in the state of an emergency. Whether you're needing to reach them regarding the property, or need to reach their contact on their behalf, this is an important piece of information.
3. Lease
This document should have all the terms the tenant and landlord agree too, including the start and end dates of the lease term. It goes beyond simply stating the rent amount and when it is due, it also contains all the responsibilities of the tenant while they are in the rental such as their utility responsibility. The landlord's responsibilities are also included in this document, and it is a vital contract between both of you.
4. Lease violation notices
Hopefully there won't be a need for this form, but you will want to keep a template handy just in case. This is used if there is a lease violation of any kind that requires the tenant leaves the premises within a set amount of days.
In the State of Florida, the requirements are as follows: 3-day notice for non-payment of rent and 7-day notice for other lease violations as a warning to the tenant. Once the allotted number of days is up, the landlord can begin the eviction process if the tenant is non-compliant.
5. Notice to enter
As a landlord, you cannot enter the rental without notice. The notice to enter document tells the tenant when you will be entering the unit. Typically, you would use this for inspections or maintenance repairs and needs to be given at least 24 hours in advance.
6. Move-in checklist
When a tenant moves in, they must submit a move-in inspection. They must document any pre-existing damage to the rental to help define both parties' responsibilities upon move-out.
7. Move-out checklist
Upon move-out, the tenant must know their responsibilities. This list typically includes exactly what the tenant needs to clean as well, and what the consequences may be if the agreed upon move-out measures aren't completed.
8. Semi-annual inspection checklist
This is an inspection performed every six months of the occupied property and helps ensure the property is being maintained by the tenant as needed.
9. Lead disclosure
Federal law requires that renters receive the following before signing a lease for housing built before 1978:
- EPA-approved informational pamphlet
- Notification of any potential lead-based paint hazard
- Lead warning statement of landlord's compliance
10. Landlord Tenant Law
This should be provided to the tenant when the lease is signed. It contains the laws both the landlord and tenant have to adhere to.
Paperwork is part of being a landlord. However, with the right team of professional property managers, you won't have to worry about the little details, and can spend your time doing the things you love or building your portfolio!
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