Are You Legally Protected By Your Lease?

What Should I Include in a Lease Agreement to Protect Myself Legally?

Renting out property? A handshake and a handshake emoji won’t cut it. 🧾 If you’re the landlord, your lease is your legal armor—and you’d better suit up.

Here are the must-have clauses to protect yourself:

✅ Clear Rent Terms

• Rent amount, due date, grace period, and late fees. Be precise. Vagueness invites loopholes.

✅ Security Deposit Details

• Amount, what it covers, and how/when it’s returned (state laws vary—know yours).

✅ Maintenance Responsibilities

• Spell out who handles what (filters, lawn care, pest control, etc.). Ambiguity causes disputes.

✅ Occupancy Limits

• List names of all legal occupants. “Cousin Dave” showing up with a pit bull and a drum kit? Not on your watch.

✅ Rules on Alterations and Repairs

• Tenants shouldn’t repaint your living room “Millennial Mauve” without permission.

✅ Early Termination Terms

• Life happens. But it shouldn't wreck your cash flow. State what happens if they break the lease.

✅ Right of Entry Notice

• Reserve the right to enter for repairs, inspections, or emergencies—with proper notice.

✅ Illegal Activity Clause

• Automatic grounds for eviction if they start a crypto mining operation in the garage.

✅ Default and Eviction Terms

• Lay out what happens if they don’t pay or violate terms. You’ll thank yourself later.

✅ Severability Clause

• This legal gem protects the lease if one part is found unenforceable. The rest still stands.

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