Lease Agreement Terms Sacramento Landlords Should Consider Adding

A strong lease is an essential component when you’re renting out a Sacramento home. You need to make sure it protects you and your property. It needs to outline the requirements and the responsibilities of your residents, and it needs to comply with all state, local, and federal housing standards and laws. 

You know what you must include; a rent collection policy, maintenance processes, contact information, etc. What should you consider adding, even if it’s something that’s not in a standard lease? 

We have some ideas that will provide additional protection for your property. Even a minor loophole can leave you unable to evict a resident, collect overdue rent, or charge a security deposit for damage. It’s important that you cover every possible base. 

Here are a few tips on what you should consider adding.

Limits on Guests 

If your resident has a guest staying for a week, that’s no big deal. 

What if that guest stays for a month? Or, two months? Or, longer? 

You’ll need to establish when a guest becomes a resident. Establish a limit for how long guests are permitted to stay in the property, and what the procedure will be for the guest to apply for residency and be added to the lease agreement. You don’t want to have an open-door policy for people who have not been properly screened, approved, and added to the lease. 

Clear Move-Out Instructions 

A resident moving out seems like it should be easy enough. 

Often, it’s not. This is where there’s the largest chance for a dispute with your departing resident. Without clear move-out instructions, they’re likely to expect that their security deposit will be refunded to them in full.

California law requires that you offer your residents a pre-move-out inspection so they know what to expect in terms of deductions and to plan for any repairs they can make before leaving the property. 

Include this in your lease, and make sure you offer the inspection a week or two before their targeted move-out date. 

Additionally, let your lease reflect what your resident will have to do in order to complete the move-out process. This may include:

• Returning the keys to a specific place at a specific time.
• Leaving a forwarding address for the security deposit return.
• Returning the property to the condition it was in when they received it.
• Cleaning.

Be clear and direct so there isn’t any confusion during or after the move-out. 

Legal Language 

We recommend including additional information in your lease, which reflects resident responsibilities and new state laws that have gone into effect over the last four or five years. 

Your lease should address:

• Fireplaces. If there’s a fireplace in your property, stipulate how it should be maintained and used. Include all safety and maintenance requirements.
• Mold. Let your residents know what your expectations are around preventing it. 
• Bedbugs. Like mold, this is something your residents must work to avoid. Your lease can include how to minimize the risk of infestation. 
• Rent control. Always disclose whether the property is included in statewide rent control laws or exempt.
• Prop 65. We recommend providing residents with a “clear and reasonable warning” about hazardous materials or chemicals in the property.