Helping You Achieve Your Goals as a Landlord Through Effective Lease Agreements
A lease agreement is the most important legal document a landlord has because it maps out the terms of the relationship between landlords and their tenants. Surprisingly, however, too many landlords underestimate the power of a lease agreement and the harm that can occur if an agreement is not carefully considered, drafted, and reviewed before signing. Because landlords may sign hundreds of leases, they may take for granted that certain lease terms are adequate in every situation, and may later incur financial liability or legal conflict that would have been avoidable by contacting an experienced attorney to review and draft the lease.
At the Landlord Law Firm, we regularly assist Connecticut landlords with the review and drafting of effective and enforceable lease agreements that adequately protect their rights and interests. If you would like to discuss our services regarding lease agreements, please do not wait to consult with a member of our highly experienced landlord-focused legal team.
Don’t Make These Common Lease Mistakes
A lease is the primary tool in providing you, as a landlord, with all possible protections under Connecticut landlord-tenant laws. Nevertheless, many landlords continually make mistakes regarding lease agreements that lead to legal liabilities and financial losses.
Landlords make three common mistakes regarding their leases:
Not having a lease agreement – While it may seem shocking, many landlords still agree to rent to tenants without signing a written agreement outlining the terms of the arrangement. Perhaps you rented to someone you knew or the tenant seemed trustworthy, so you agreed to the rental based on a handshake alone. In every case, have a written agreement that was reviewed and signed by both the landlord and the tenant so it is clear that both parties understood and agreed to their rights, responsibilities, and available remedies. If you already have a tenant with no lease agreement, it is not too late to draft one to protect your rights.
Using a boilerplate lease – Many landlords try to save money by downloading a lease agreement from the internet or purchasing a lease from a store. These leases have standardized boilerplate language that does not address any specific issues with a tenant, property, or landlord. Often, these leases are not specific to your state’s laws and may not fully protect your rights or may have unenforceable provisions. While you may believe you are saving money by not having a lease agreement specifically tailored to your situation, you may find that the losses suffered by a lease conflict may be significantly costlier than the funds you initially thought you had saved. If you currently have a boilerplate lease, you should have our attorneys review it for any possible addendums that may better protect your rights.
Failing to update a lease over time – Simply because you had a lease drafted for your specific property at one point in time does not mean that the lease will continue to protect your interests indefinitely. The laws regarding landlord rights in Connecticut are constantly changing and evolving, so have a highly knowledgeable landlord attorney periodically review a previously drafted lease agreement. In addition, a lease should be updated often if it is for a different tenant or property—especially for commercial leases.
To best avoid these common mistakes, allow the Landlord Law Firm to draft an effective lease agreement that will work for your situation and with your specific tenants and properties.
Compliance With Connecticut Lease Laws
If your lease agreement is not in compliance with the requirements of Connecticut landlord-tenant laws, chances are the lease will not be enforceable should an issue arise. The law in our state is not highly specific about the permissible terms of a lease agreement, stating only that you may include terms that are not specifically prohibited by law, which may include the lease term, specifics about rent, and other rights and obligations of each party.
Depending on the type of property and tenant that you have, however, it is critical to include many additional lease terms. For example, a commercial landlord might include restrictions on property use or terms regarding alterations to a space. An experienced attorney will look beyond the most basic permissible lease terms to ensure that every concern is addressed in the agreement.
On the other hand, Connecticut law does set out terms that are prohibited in lease agreements. Many of the prohibited terms involve waiver of rights or liability and other complex legal concepts. Our landlord attorneys will always ensure there are no prohibited terms in your lease agreement that may render the lease unenforceable and leave you with fewer or no protections under the law.
Handling Conflicts Regarding a Lease Agreement
Whether your original lease was drafted or reviewed by the Landlord Law Firm, our lawyers are always here to provide representation should a conflict arise regarding lease terms. We seek the most efficient method of resolution of your dispute and will make the necessary changes to your lease agreements to prevent future conflicts.
Discuss Your Legal Needs With a Highly Experienced Connecticut Landlord Attorney Today
If you are a landlord or property manager, you can seek a wealth of general information relevant to landlord law and advocacy in our easy-to-search catalog of hundreds of articles regarding landlord rights. For information regarding specific situations, however, contact our office and discuss your circumstances and legal questions with a member of our highly skilled legal team. The attorneys at the Landlord Law Firm have dedicated their practice to protecting the rights and interests of landlords, and are thoroughly familiar with the goals and practices of landlords and property management companies. Please do not hesitate to call our office for more information at (203) 874-4747, or send us an email through our online contact form today to see how we can assist you.