The lease agreement is an important document for both the landlord and the tenant. It spells out what parties are responsible for which parts of the lease and any terms that might not be clear. Many tenants don’t understand lease terms throughout the process, but you can do a few things to ensure they’re less confused. Here are seven lease terms your Salinas tenant might not understand and how to clarify.

1. No Smoking

No smoking is a pretty standard lease term that most tenants are familiar with. However, there may be some confusion about what is in the “no smoking” clause. Does it apply to cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, or all of the above? Make sure your lease is specific about what types of smoking are not allowed on the property. Also, ensure you include any rules on smoking in the lease agreement.

The no-smoking clause should also include details about what will happen if the tenant violates it. Will they be fined and given a warning or evicted? Make sure both you and your tenant are on the same page about this, so there are no surprises down the road

2. No Pets

Many landlords don’t allow pets on their lease, and some tenants believe they can bring a pet anyway. If your lease is clear about not allowing any animals without written approval from the landlord first, include that in the lease agreement.

If the property management chooses to change this lease term during the tenant’s stay, they should update the lease terms. Even if you don’t mind pets, your renter may have allergies that would be negatively affected by an animal on the property.

When it comes down to it, both landlord and tenant should understand what is in the “no pet” clause of their lease agreement for Salinas.

If you allow a pet, make sure your lease specifies what type it is and how much the tenant will pay for any damages they might cause to the property. This way, there are no misunderstandings over who should pay for vet bills if their animal gets hurt on the premises.

3. No Vehicle Storage or Junk Vehicles Lease Terms

Again, these lease terms are pretty standard, and most tenants will be familiar with them. However, it’s important to make sure your lease agreement is clear about what is in each of these clauses.

In the “no vehicle storage” clause, does this mean that the tenant can’t store a car on the property at all? Or just that they can’t store it in the driveway or on the property without approval from the property management?

The “junk vehicles” clause is a little more specific, but there may still be some confusion about what it means. Does this mean that the tenant can’t have a broken-down car on the property? What if they’re fixing it up, and it’s not running?

Companies offering property management services should ensure these lease terms are very specific. If you want to change the car storage rules over time, ensure that the lease agreement is updated and both parties understand.

4. Yard Maintenance Lease Terms

This lease term can be tricky for both landlord and tenant to understand. What is in the yard maintenance clause, and who should do it?
Some landlords will agree to pay for all of the lawn care on their property. Others may only agree to pay for basic lawn mowing and not yard work. You and your tenant must know what is included in “yard maintenance” to prevent misunderstandings or miscommunications in the lease agreement.

5. Attorney Fees in a Lawsuit

This lease term can be a little tricky for tenants to understand. If you sue them in the future because they haven’t paid their rent or damaged your property, what expenses will you have?

Some landlords agree to pay attorney’s fees if their tenant wins the case against them. Others leave it up to the judge and let them decide whether or not the landlord should pay for attorney’s fees in a lawsuit.

Agreeing to pay legal expenses if your tenant sues you is usually best so that it doesn’t become an issue down the road. If you don’t want to agree or can’t afford to, make sure this lease term is clear about what will happen.

6. Restrictions on Property Use

Property management companies in Salinas often put restrictions on the use of their properties. This lease term ensures the tenant uses the property for its intended purpose – living, not business purposes.

This lease term can be tricky because it’s vague. What does “business purposes” mean? Is a small home office allowed? What about running an online business out of your home?

Again, it’s important to be very specific about what is and isn’t allowed in this lease term. If you’re not sure, ask your property management company for clarification. They should be more than happy to help you out.

7. Property Rental Pricing (Deposit and Fees)

The lease agreement should also include a section on the property rental pricing. This includes everything from deposits to fees and will affect your tenants’ budgets as well as their plans for renting your unit.

As a landlord, you must know the different fees to determine how much money is due each month. You may also want to include a monthly rate for utilities, so your tenant knows how much they’ll be paying every month.

It’s also important to let your tenant know the deposit fee at lease signing. It will affect their budgeting and moving plans if there are other fees that they can’t afford on top of the security deposit.

Conclusion

These are just a few lease terms that can confuse landlords and tenants. By being specific in your lease agreement, you can help to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to contact commercial property management firm Salinas for clarification.