Request to review lease before viewing or applying

[John Mack]

Do you allow a potential renter to review lease before viewing or submitting an application?

[Joe Martella]

I have discussed the lease terms verbally with tenants, but they never asked for the lease first before seeing the property or submitting an application.  I personally wouldn't go through great lengths to discuss specifics of the lease until I know the renters are serious.  Not that it is a privacy issue or not,  I just wouldn't go through the trouble until it is worth my time.   If they are more concerned about the terms and conditions of a lease than the way their potential new home looks, that may be a flag too.  Perhaps they are new landlords in the area or studying to be a new landlord and are trying to get a free lease?

I recently had one of my residents want to renegotiate the terms of the lease that was being renewed (it is a standard lease) and actually asked me to e-mail him the word document.  Of course I didn't.  I explained that it is a standard 12 month lease with the same terms and conditions as the prior lease and it isn't subject to negotiation.

If you decide that you want to show the the lease, I wouldn't e-mail them a copy.  I would have a paper copy of the lease at the unit (with a draft watermark on it) for them to look at while in the unit, not for them to take it with them.  I would explain that once they apply and are accepted, that they will receive the final lease and have x days to review and sign before you move onto the next applicant.

That is what I am thinking, but I most certainly wouldn't give them an electronic copy until they apply.