Creating a House Rules Policy for your Tenants

Creating a House Rules Policy for your Tenants
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One important addendum to any lease or rental agreement is a House Rules or Tenant Behavior Policy. Landlords create House Rules so tenants will understand what behavior is expected of them on a day-to-day basis. Present the House Rules along with the lease or rental agreement, and ask your tenants to sign a copy acknowledging they understand your expectations in regard to parties, quiet hours, parking, garbage, pets, painting or repairs.
You can include any of the following House Rules in your lease or rental agreement:

• Tenants may not store trash in hallways, on decks or porches.
• Tenants should use hallways for entry and exit to their apartments only.
• Tenants should use only non-glass containers near the pool (if you have
one).
• Tenants should not cook or use barbecue grills on balconies or patios.
• Tenants should not behave in a loud or obnoxious fashion, especially after dusk and before dawn.
• Tenants may not disturb or threaten other tenants or their guests.
• Tenants may not own or show a weapon in any common area.
• Tenants may not change or otherwise tamper with any electrical connections including cable wiring.
• Tenants may not use windows for exit or entry to their own or another tenant’s apartment.
• Tenants may not use, buy or sell drugs or other illegal substances in the rental property.
• Tenants may not heat an apartment with a portable cooking stove or portable unit heater.
• Tenants may not store any gas appliances in closets.
• Tenants may not change the locks or paint without permission from the landlord.