Are You Using The Right Forms?
As landlords we all face difficult situations where forms must be used. We want you to have a detailed knowledge of what type of form is needed in certain situations. It is recommended that everything between you and your tenant or prospective tenant is in writing. These forms are available in the office for a small fee or if you are registered on the web site, the forms can be downloaded at no cost for our members.
Lease Agreement - It's our plain language lease that is easily read.
Rental Application - These are the forms needed to obtain information on a prospective tenant to run their credit report. The name, address, social security number, date of birth and signature are all needed to run the credit report. All other information is for the landlord to verify and check out before renting to a perspective tenant.
Lead Book - You MUST give your tenants this booklet (along with the lead disclosure form) when they sign the lease if your property was built before 1978. It contains information on lead paint and the dangers of lead paint. This is a federal law. If you don't comply with this law, you could be subject to a fine of up to $10,000.
Lead Disclosure Form - The form that accompanies the lead booklet. The filled out, signed form is the landlord's proof that they complied with the Federal Law for lead paint.
5 Day Notice (for unpaid rent) - This form is used when rent is delinquent and there are no other defaults.
10 Day Notice (for unpaid rent) - This form is used in the non-heating months when rent is delinquent and you are NOT using an Apartment Association lease.
15 Day Notice - is used in the heating months if you are not using an Apartment Association lease.
30 Day Notice - The landlord has the right to terminate the lease at any time by giving a 30 day notice.
5 Day Default Notice - If the tenant is in default of the lease in any way and it can include non-payment of rent. List all defaults.
Move In/Out Checklist - It's a list used as where you and the tenant walk through the apartment when they sign the lease. You write down the condition of the apartment. You do the same when they move out so that there are no questions as to what is charged against the security deposit for damages.
Roommate Agreement - Is an agreement you can use if you have more than one person in the same apartment such as roommates, students, or even unmarried couples. The agreement is between the roommates and defines their obligations, Landlord does not sign this form.
Agreement To Hold Premises - It's a paper agreement between the landlord and perspective tenant to hold the premises with a deposit. It outlines the rent amount, lease dates and deposits. If the landlord checks out the application and decides not to rent to the prospective tenant the deposit must be refunded. If the tenant changes their mind they forfeit the deposit.
Pet Agreement - A form used when pets are approved. It states the tenants obligations for the pet, a pet description and capabilities for a pet fee or deposit.
Move-In Summary of Required Payments - A form used to break down what is owed to the landlord at time of move in.
Security Deposit Transmittal - A form used to break down what is done with the tenant's security deposit after they have moved out. It must be sent to the tenant within 30 days of the day the tenant vacates.
Housing Contract - A specialized lease used specifically for college students.
Lease Extension/Addendum Agreement - is used to either extend the lease that is expiring or make changes to the existing lease without having to rewrite the original lease. Example: adding another name to the lease.
OTHER FORMS AVAILABLE
Eviction Schedule Under Act 36 - a breakdown of the procedure to evict using our lease and is also published in our newsletter every month.
Request For Criminal History Record Information - a form you send to Harrisburg with a small fee to request a criminal background check. It can take several weeks.
Credit Bureau of Erie, Inc. Reporting/Collection Form - a form used to turn in a tenant for collection.
Form to Attach Wages for a Damage Judgement - the form to file with the Prothonotary to collect on a judgement for damages.