Tenant not signing the lease

[Rennie K.]

I am fairly new to this site and have a basic question. Recently, I rented a unit to a person who has paid the deposit (one months rent) in cash along with pro-rated rent for the part month (that he moved in). Since it was a Sunday when the tenant moved in, we couldn't sign the lease - banks are closed and I require the lease to be notarized. I gave my tenant the copy of a lease and asked him to sign it and get it notarized and then I can sign it and get it notarize from my bank and provide him a copy of it.
Its been a week and it appears he is giving me a run-around and avoiding to sign the lease. We have exchanged several text messages and he not making himself available to return the lease.

My Question:
1. If I email him a copy of the lease and ask him to sign it and give him 2 weeks to return it. Then if he fails to do so, can that lease become binding even though he has not signed it?
2. What are the repercussions of not having a lease?

Thanks.
Shaw

[Stephan K.]

Oh, what a mess.

Why do you require the lease to be notarized? You should at least have him signed one copy.

I make a copy of the ID and just have the tenant sign it.

I never give out keys without payment and signed contract.

The contract will not become valid without him signing it. He is on a verbal contract now; I guess I would consider him on month to month.

Make sure you do not text and e-mail but leave a paper trail.

Send him a letter saying that you will consider him on a 30 day if he does not sign the contract by a specific date and that you will give him a 30 day notice after that date. Than he would not be on a contract anymore and you could evict him.

Stephan