Hi,I live here in Arizona and I rent out rooms to roommates here in my house that I myself have been renting for almost 4 years now.
I do not put anyone else on the lease since I am not required to and also I like it to pretty much be "My house"Anyway, instead of a lease, I have the new roomates sign a "Roommate Contract" that I have made up.
Basically it goes over the house rules, rent, etc. kinda like a lease.
My main question is, is there a way to actually make the contract a legal document that can be used against that roommate in a court of law if they tend to not pay rent, or try to leave without paying what they owe, etc?
I always see people neing asked for copies of bills, pictures, etc. on those Court shows to show proof of things.
I'm thinking about getting the contracts notorized, but not sure if that's enough.
2006-09-05 16:30:46 · 6 answers · asked by axlman 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Thank you all for your help! All of what has been suggested/said is pretty much what I exspected. :)
2006-09-05 17:00:03 · update #1
You state that your roommates "sign". Then you must have a document that they are signing! Why do you think it is not legal?
It does NOT take an attorney to write a legal (permitted by law), document. If the subject matter and terms are not outlawed; if the parties involved are legally (again--permitted by law), able to enter into contracts and they willingly sign--- then you have a valid contract written on a legal document. Give everybody a copy and have everybody sign every copy.
If you actually do not have a right to sub-let, do not meet code and/or zoning regulations, or some such thing, then nothing you do is going to make the contract valid.
2006-09-06 01:02:21 · answer #1 · answered by veritas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As pointed out above only a contract atturny can help you there, but remember if you collect any rent or payment from the roommate you have to pay taxes on it, thats the drawback to a contract, the state/fed government knows.
2006-09-05 16:37:12 · answer #2 · answered by Mark G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, you can have a legal agreement the subject of which is their tenancy.
To enforce it would be another matter. I don't know how you would do that. If you had to hire an Attorney, there is nothing your tenant could do short of burning the place down that would warrant paying the 2k-5k retainer.
2006-09-05 16:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Residential Tenancies Act/Landlord Tenant Act in your province/state would probably have a standard lease online. Have your tenants initial any changes you make to this lease, and have it witnessed. That's a pretty standard request to make of new roommates.
2006-09-05 16:38:24 · answer #4 · answered by cleeps 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lawyer is probably the only way to be sure, And I really hate to recommend a lawyer for anything.
2006-09-05 16:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by kkinkajoo 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
speak to a attorney and notrize them
2006-09-05 16:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by glock310 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋