{"id":11167,"date":"2020-12-17T10:13:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-17T10:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/?p=11167"},"modified":"2023-07-21T19:52:53","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T19:52:53","slug":"what-should-you-include-in-a-texas-lease-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/what-should-you-include-in-a-texas-lease-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should You Include in Your Texas Lease Agreements?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rental property owners must follow landlord-tenant laws, and using a lease or rental agreement helps ensure the landlord and the tenant&#8217;s rights are well protected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lease agreements or rental agreements are legal documents between a tenant and landlord detailing each party&#8217;s benefits and liabilities.&nbsp; Each state has its own guidelines regarding what must be included in a residential lease agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are wondering what should be included in your Texas lease agreement, read on to better understand what is needed to comply with Texas residential rental laws.&nbsp; You should always consult a <\/span><b>Texas landlord attorney<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you are trying to construct your own Texas lease agreement.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out Girling Law\u2019s fully compliant Texas residential lease agreement here:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_font_size:1.1em;--button_margin-bottom:30px;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/rock-solid-lease-form\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">$44.95 TX Lease Agreement<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Tenant information<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you should indicate is the names of all the adult tenants who will be dwelling in the leased property and signing the rental contract. In general, this binding agreement means that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can legally seek rent payment from any one of your tenants if the others are unable to pay the rent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can terminate a lease if even just one tenant violates major lease terms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naming them in the signed tenancy agreement means that it\u2019s a binding contract that will allow you to hold them legally responsible for the terms and conditions of the residential lease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Occupancy Limits<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from listing the adult tenants in the property lease, you should also specify that only the tenants and their minor children are to reside in the rental unit. This way, you can protect your right to determine and limit who occupies your property. Doing so also gives you legal grounds to evict tenants who are illegally subletting the apartment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Rent and Late Fees<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11168 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Texas Lease Agreement\" width=\"368\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement-400x266.jpg 400w, https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Texas-Lease-Agreement.jpg 626w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/> Of course, it\u2019s also important to clearly state your policies regarding rent and late fees. This include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amount of rent;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to pay rent;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acceptable methods of payment;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amount of rent increase, if any;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amount charged for a late fee; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to charge late fees.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can impose a late fee by identifying a grace period, if you elect to have one at all. You may charge an initial late fee, followed by ongoing, daily late fees until rent is paid. However, Texas law limits the total late fee you may charge. This limitation is a function of the tenant\u2019s monthly rent payment. It is critical to understand these Texas late fee laws because the penalties for violating them are quite steep! Making these polices known beforehand will encourage your tenants to pay on time and will help avoid disputes in the future.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Tenancy Term<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Establishing the length of your tenants\u2019 possession of your property is another very important detail. We refer to this as the lease\u2019s \u201cterm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In Texas, residential leases often include an initial lease term with a \u201cmonth-to-month provision.\u201d The majority of Texas residential leases start with a 1-year initial term and proceed on a month-to-month basis thereafter.<\/p>\n<p>Because the landlord is enjoying fewer make readies (i.e. cleaning out, making repairs, and otherwise preparing the unit for the next tenant) with a longer initial lease term, landlords will customarily offer a lower monthly rent payment for a longer lease term.<\/p>\n<p>It is also customary for landlords to charge a higher price once a residential lease transitions into a month-to-month term.<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-2 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_font_size:1.1em;--button_margin-bottom:30px;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/rock-solid-lease-form\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">$44.95 TX Lease Agreement<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Security Deposit Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security deposits are a common source of issues between landlords and tenants. To avoid confusion, it\u2019s best to be clear about the details, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The amount and use of the deposit.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While there\u2019s no imposed limit in Texas, most landlords charge not more than two months worth of rent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>When and how to return the deposit<\/b>. You are mandated by law to return the deposit within a month of the latter: 1) the tenants vacate the unit; or 2) the tenants give you a written demand for an accounting and \/ or return of the deposit AND provide you their forwarding address. You need to fully describe this process to ensure compliance with Texas law and to manage your tenant\u2019s expectations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Never state that you are paying your tenant interest on their security deposit.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Repair &amp; Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the landlord, <\/span>you are<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> responsible for repairing and maintaining the property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Your lease contract should include the following to avoid security deposit withholding disputes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenants should keep the rental premises clean and sanitary;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenants pay for damages caused by their abuse or neglect;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenants <\/span>must alert you of defective or dangerous conditions in the leased property;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your restrictions on alterations or repairs that can be conducted by the tenant; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your tenant\u2019s rights if you failed to address a problem despite being given proper notice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Disclosures<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The State of Texas requires specific written disclosures in residential leases. The federal government may also have written disclosures depending on the age of your unit and your tenant.<\/p>\n<p>Always consult with a licensed Texas attorney to understand which state and federal disclosures are required for your Texas rental property. Alternatively, always use a rental contract drafted by a Texas landlord attorney.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 28; line-height: 1.21;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"33.88px\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. <\/span>Other Terms of the Agreement<\/h2>\n<p>Every parcel of Real estate is unique. And obtaining a customized residential lease agreement for every tenant every time is nearly always cost prohibitive. This is why it is so important to use a thorough lease contract for your Texas rental properties.<\/p>\n<p>A thorough lease will include provisions addressing your rental property\u2019s unique features such as parking restrictions and use of common areas. A well thought out residential lease agreement will also incorporate the provisions of HOA rules, Condo Association Rules, and other neighborhood rules and regulations that can apply to your rental property.<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-3 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_font_size:1.1em;--button_margin-bottom:30px;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/rock-solid-lease-form\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">$44.95 TX Lease Agreement<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":11169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11167"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12963,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167\/revisions\/12963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlinglaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}