Once the lease is signed, most landlords, property managers and tenants file away their copy and forget all about it again until the tenant is ready to move out and trying to figure out how to get their deposits back. The landlord retrieves their copy to see what it says about notice, damages and other exit requirements.

In other words, the Rental Agreement or Lease tends to not be words to live by on a day-to-day basis, even though they contain many, many explanations, requirements, rules and restrictions.

House Rules, on the other hand, are the words to live by on a day-to-day basis and are just as binding as the lease. In fact, House Rules are an addendum to the lease and are considered to be a fully legal document.

Although a landlord or property manager is not required to have a House Rules addendum, there are some circumstances that seldom run smoothly without them; for instance multi-family housing situations like a four-plex or apartment building, in student housing, or roommate situations.

At the beginning of the roommate, student or multi-family housing experience, everyone is optimistic, but personal preferences, quirks, personality conflicts and eccentricities lead to emotional and even legal complications.

House Rules, having it all in writing, can prevent situations from getting out of control and help resolve them when they do...continued)

For full answer please go to spokesmanhomes.com

Landlord Association of the Inland NW
3 S. Washington Street, Spokane, WA 99201
www.landlordassoc.org • 509-535-1018