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Rental Agreements
Moving In, Moving On

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Rental Agreements
• Spoken or written legal contract
• Outlines the term of the agreement – what the landlord expects
of the tenant and what the tenant expects of the landlord
• Important to read and understand

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Advantages of a Written Rental

Agreement
• Easier to enforce if there are problems
• Avoids surprises when memories differ
• Provides a record of the conditions the landlord and tenant
agreed to
• Protects tenant from changes in rent or rental conditions that
occur after move-in

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Rental Agreement Checklist

1.How long does the rental agreement last?
2.Who can live in the apartment?
3.How long can you have visitors stay with you?
4.If guests stay longer than the lease allows, what happens?
5.How much is the rent?
6.When is the rent due?

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Rental Agreement Checklist

7. Is there a penalty for late payment?
8. Where do you pay your rent?
9. To whom do you pay your rent?
10. What utilities must you pay?
11. Are there any payments you must make in addition to the rent,
such as security deposit, parking, or utilities?
12. When can the rent be increased?
13. What happens if you need to move out before your lease period
ends?
Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On
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Rental Agreement Checklist

14. Are pets permitted?
15. Are you responsible for any maintenance and repairs?
16. To whom do you report problems? (you should have a name,
telephone number, and address.)
17. Who is responsible for being sure the smoke detectors in the
apartment work?
18. When can the landlord enter the apartment?

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Rental Agreement Language

1.Check in/check out form

2.Deductions
3.Intent to Vacate
4.Month to Month Agreement
5.Normal Wear and Tear
6.Rental Agreement
7.Security Deposit
8.Tenancy Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On
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Moving On Quiz - True or False?

1.There is no need to give notice before moving out.
2.If your roommate moves out before the rental agreement ends and
stops paying his portion of the rent, you are responsible for his
portion of the rent.
3.Landlords can wait to return security deposits until it is convenient
for them.
4.When a tenant moves out, landlords are allowed to deduct for
normal wear and tear.

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Moving On Quiz - True or False?

5. If you need to move out early, your security deposit can serve as
your last month’s rent.
6. Rental agreements with a fixed term, end unless the landlord or
tenant makes arrangements to continue the agreement.
7. If you receive a “five-day notice” that your rent is overdue, you
must pay the back rent within five days or move.
8. If you have a month to month tenancy and you receive a 14-day
notice that your rent is overdue, you must move.

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Moving On Quiz - True or False?

9. If you have a tenancy under a written lease and have received a
prior 5-day notice for past due rent, you must move if you receive
a 14 day notice that your rent is overdue.
10. If you fail to move after receiving a termination notice, the
landlord can immediately change the locks and remove your
property from the apartment.

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Security Deposit Deductions
Sunrise Apartment

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Why Not get Evicted?

1. An eviction results in a long-term court record.
2. Evictions may be posted on your credit record.
3. The eviction judgment may require you to pay double the rent
you owe, legal costs for the landlord, and other fees.
4. You may lose possessions in the apartment if the eviction
occurs before you move out.
5. If the sheriff removes your possessions, you will be required to
pay for the moving and storage in order to later recover them.

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Eviction flow chart

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On

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Notices and Eviction Language

• 5 day notice • Joint and Several Liability
• 14 day notice • Return Date
• 28 day notice • Self-help Eviction
• Cure • Summons and Complaint
• Eviction • Writ of Restitution
• Eviction Trial

Rental Agreements—Moving In, Moving On