Think Your Lease is Airtight? Find Out 3 Common Pitfalls in Atlanta Rental Agreements and How You Can Avoid Them
As a landlord in Atlanta or the Greater Metro Atlanta area, there is no question that your rental agreement is one of the most important tools you have to protect your property and your legal rights. However, the truth is that many Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlords assume their lease is legally sound until something goes terribly wrong. In reality, small mistakes or vague language in your lease agreement can lead to major problems, including lost rental income, disputes with tenants, and even costly litigation. As such, drafting an airtight lease is an important part of the leasing process. Here we discuss three pitfalls that Atlanta and Greater Metro area landlords should know about when drafting lease agreements, and how to avoid them.
Pitfall #1: Being Too Generic in a Lease Agreement
Unfortunately, it can be tempting to use a template lease. Indeed, many Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlords rely on generic lease templates found on the internet or handed down from other property owners. While these forms may seem convenient, they often leave out important provisions specific to Georgia law and Atlanta city ordinances. For example, certain notice requirements, eviction procedures, and tenant responsibilities may not be properly addressed in a general lease document. Failing to tailor your lease with the law now can lead to massive headaches later on.
Pitfall #2: Failing to Define Repairs and Maintenance of the Rental Home
It is important for Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlords to know that one of the most common sources of conflict between landlords and tenants involves property maintenance. Without clearly stated responsibilities in the lease, landlords often find themselves facing repair demands that should fall on the tenant or, worse, being accused of neglecting their duties. For example, are tenants responsible for maintaining the lawn or changing air filters? Who handles pest control? What is the process for reporting repairs? Failing to clearly define these terms opens the door to unnecessary disputes that can be time consuming and costly.
Pitfall #3: Failing to Include an Inspection Checklist
As part of the lease and the rental process, Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlords should include an inspection checklist at lease signing, and an itemized list of security deposit deductions at move-out. Georgia landlord-tenant law outlines strict rules for collecting, holding, and returning security deposits. Landlords who fail to comply risk being sued and may have to return the entire deposit even if damage occurs. This includes providing a move in inspection checklist and an itemized list of deductions within thirty days of the lease ending.
Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in Your Atlanta Lease
There is no question that having a solid, legally sound, and airtight lease is the most important part of the leasing process in Atlanta and the Greater Metro Atlanta area. Having an experienced Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlord-tenant lawyer help you draft and review your lease is the best way to avoid headaches with your lease agreement. The experienced Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlord-tenant lawyers at Evans Law are here to help Atlanta and Greater Metro Atlanta area landlords protect their investments with solid lease agreements. Contact Evans Law today to discuss your lease with an experienced lawyer.
