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The move-out instructions and minimum charge list, or cleaning fees, in your rental agreement are a deterrent only. You cannot deduct from a security deposit except for costs you actually incur. This is why we have removed charges from the document here. In future versions we may add them back…

The Bed Bug Warning Sheet gives you a shot at avoiding the exterminator, but if you must, you want to make it clear that some portion of the extermination work falls to the tenant. They’re not spraying chemicals, but they do need to comply with all cleanliness and reorganization steps…

When you’re signing a rental agreement, you have a tenant’s attention. You should use the time to educate them about a resurgent problem: bed bugs. Bed bugs were eliminated from the US as a concern with the widespread use of pesticides. Since those pesticides have stopped being sprayed indiscriminately around…

This addendum forbids smoking.  If you permit it, don’t use this addendum. If you forbid smoking (fully legal) you want to make sure you aren’t implying a warranty of health.  Someone in one of your units could disobey your no-smoking rule and cause another tenant to become uncomfortable or ill. Obviously…

Whether you have a dumpster on-site or require residents to use city trash, you want to let them know at the lease signing what the deal is. This form is set up for city trash, and is filled in with Worcester specific information, including clauses about their yellow trash bag…

As a service to your new customers, make it easy for them to transfer the utilities into their name. Remind them what their new address is and give contact information for starting service.

You should probably print this out and check off the items one by one as you get them signed with the tenant. It reminds you that you should explain the rental agreement to the tenant. Once you hand over the keys, the agreement may never be thought of again. If…

Landlords are allowed to take move-in money for first, last, security, and locks, nothing else. Don’t believe us? Read MGL Chapter 186 Section 15B for yourself. This move-in money receipt gets you started on the right foot. Note that if you have a security deposit, you also must promptly issue…