Full Description

Do you know what you’re agreeing to when you sign your name to the bottom of a lease? Whether you are the tenant or the landlord, with that signature you put your money, credit, and reputation at risk.

The Complete Book of Real Estate Leases provides all the information you need to understand and negotiate leases from either side of the table. This book uses simple English to help decode the many clauses and statutes that have made leases as lengthy and complicated as they are today.

This book explains:
-The rights and duties of landlords and tenants
-Federal laws that protect tenants and the environment
-State and local laws on such topics as security deposits, rent control, maintenance, and asbestos
-50+ clauses that you need to understand before signing anything
-Tips on negotiating the best clauses for you
-12 ready-to-use forms that you can adjust to fit your needs
-Lead-Based Paint Pamphlet

Includes blank forms:
-Tenant Application
-House Lease
-House Rental Agreement
-Apartment Lease
-Apartment Rental Agreement
-Commercial Lease
-Short Commercial Lease
-Storage Space Lease
-Storage Space Rental Agreement
-Inventory of Furnishings
-Amendment to Lease or Rental Agreement
-Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -

Introduction -

Chapter 1: The Landlord’s Position -
- Mom-and-Pop Landlords
- Rent Control
- Bad Faith and Unconscionable Leases
- Severability
- The Best Strategy
- Parties to the Lease
- Tenants’ Leases

Chapter 2: The Tenant’s Position -
- Concessions
- Unconscionable or Unenforceable Leases
- Lawsuit and Judgments
- Personal Liability

Chapter 3: The Art of Negotiating -
- Best/Worst
- Need versus Position
- Understanding the Other Side
- Emotional Involvement with the Deal
- Taking Things Personally
- Starting Position
- Turning the Tables
- Your Last Shot

Chapter 4: Federal Laws -
- Lead-Based Paint Notice Law
- Discrimination

Chapter 5: State and Local Laws -
- Landlord/Tenant Statutes
- Security Deposit Laws
- Discrimination
- Access
- Rent Control
- Liability
- Maintenance
-Repair and Deduct
- Disclosure
- Water Beds
- Language
- Utilities
- Radon
- Asbestos
- Termination
- Forms
- Other Laws

Chapter 6: Lease Basics -
- Lease versus Rental Agreement
- Evictions

Chapter 7: Basic Lease Clauses -
- Parties, Property, Consideration, Agreement
- Payment
- Security Deposits
- Severability
- Attorney's Fees
- Jury Waiver
- Waiver
- Abandonment
- Subordination
- Surrender of Premises
- Alterations and Improvements
- Recording
- Access
- Entire Agreement
- Locks

Chapter 8: Residential Lease Clauses -
- Term
- Rent
- Discounted Rent
- Default
- Utilities
- Maintenance
- Use
- Assignment
- Condominium
- Lawn
- Liability
- Pets
- Occupancy
- Tenant’s Appliances
- Parking
- Liens
- Water Beds
- Holdover by Tenant
- Damage to Premises
- Furnishings
- Pest Control

Chapter 9: Commercial Lease Clauses -
- Premises
- Term
- Rent
- Rent Adjustments
- Renewal
- Taxes
- Use of Premises
- Environmental Laws
- Competing Businesses
- Parking Areas
- Signs and Advertising
- Maintenance and Repair
- Utilities
- Liability
- Insurance
- Fire or Casualty
- Eminent Domain
- Assignment and Subletting
- Default and Remedies
- Notices
- Mechanics’ or Construction Liens
- Fixtures
- Guarantee
- Miscellaneous Clauses for the Landlord
- Miscellaneous Clauses for the Tenant

Chapter 10: Storage Space Leases -

Glossary -

Appendix A Lead-Based Paint Pamphlet -

Appendix B Blank Forms -

Index -

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: