Rental application / leases

[James L.]

Hey everyone, so does anyone in Austin tx have a really solid lease they like to use? Maybe point me in the right direction and maybe a good recommendation for an application? I want to get all of my paper work together and put a packet together. I'm In the process of getting my second rental and want to do it right this time. The last one worked out but it was just some forms I picked up at the office depot. Thanks

[Marian Smith]

You can find a copy of the TAR lease online to use as a template...it has a provision in it that states that the lease is invalid if not used by a member., but it is a good guideline for drafting your own lease.   I think the Steve Crossland property mgmt blog has a sample of the TAR lease he uses,...with the blanks filled in... so you can see what terms the pros use...late fees etc.  If I ever get my act together I am going to put together a short list of guidelines for tenants (rules)...but anything important needs to be on the lease.  

Tip:  My daughter's apartment manager basically read the lease to her when she signed it.  I always emailed a copy of the lease to tenants prior to move-in so they were prepared to sign, Boom.  But now I am going to read alot of it aloud at signing to be sure the lease is read....never occured to me to read it aloud.