Why Is It Better to Have a Written Rental Agreement?

Imagine you have a valid verbal agreement with your tenant, but your tenant later denies the terms and pays you less than the rent amount you agreed to. For this reason, most landlords choose to have a written rental agreement so that everyone is held accountable.

A written rental agreement is also necessary and highly recommended if your tenancy involves special circumstances, such as any of the following:

• You plan to enter into a long-term agreement with your tenant, such as nine months or a year.

• You and your tenant have agreed to some special arrangements, like allowing a pet or a waterbed.

• Your tenant has agreed to bear certain expenses (for example, utilities or garbage removal) or to provide services (for example, gardening).

Tellus TIP:

You should always record everything in writing to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.