Hi everyone- I'm hoping to get some feedback on this section of my lease. It is a 12 month lease. I'm trying to clarify what happens at the end of the term and the tenant's responsibility to provide me with notice. Is there anything I should add to this or need to improve? I used some feedback on this forum for this.

RENEWAL OF THIS LEASE/NOTICE TO VACATE

This lease shall terminate on 03/31/2020. Tenant must provide Landlord with written notice at least one (1) full calendar month or thirty (30) days, whichever is greater, prior to the ending of this lease. The notice shall inform Landlord whether Tenant intends to vacate the Premises at the end of the term or enter into a new agreement.

Tenant understands that the Landlord may inspect the premises prior to any renewals of this lease to determine whether or not said premises are being “kept up” as agreed to. Further, Tenant understands and agrees that Landlord is under no obligation to renew this lease, and that any such renewals are solely at Landlord’s option.

If Tenant does not provide Landlord with sufficient notice to vacate, or a new fixed-term lease is not signed, this Agreement will continue on a month-to-month basis from the first day of each calendar month through the last day of each calendar month. Except otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply during any month-to-month tenancy. Tenant must provide Landlord with written notice at least one (1) full calendar month or thirty (30) days, whichever is greater, prior to ending a month-to-month tenancy. A month-to-month tenancy may only be terminated at the end of a rental period. A rental period runs from the first day of a calendar month through the last day of each calendar month. Landlord can also end this agreement by providing the same notice to Tenant.

Rent is for full calendar months only (1st through 31st). Last month’s rent will not be prorated. (Example: On March 10, tenant notifies landlord that they will be moving out on April 20. Resident is still responsible for rent, late fees, and utilities until April 30.)

It seems to me, that the tenant has to notify you roughly a month (30 days) prior to the end of the lease that he is vacating the property or signing on for another term... if they do not notify you, the tenancy become M2M.

It does not say what happens if you want to renew term or end tenancy. And if the tenant wants to renew term, will it be the same lease, or are there rent increases or maybe changes that you have decided to incorporate.

Mark,

I really like that last paragraph! Wink wink!

Technical legal jargon- according to my court, if you write THIS LEASE TERMINATES ON_______ then you as a LL have no rights after that date. Example: res stays a few extra days, or they back the moving truck into tje garage door and create damage after that date - the LL is SOL.

My lease is clear: automatically renews with a 2.9% Cost of Living increase.

Generally speaking I son’t want to give them a reason to move out, I want them to stay and avoid turnover.

I realize some courts are slow to evict but overall I don’t understand why LLs want MTM after a successful year. What do they fear from the person they screened, gave keys to, and collected rent from?

Mark,

PS. Check around with local large apts. My area requires 60 days notice so I updated my lease to 60 days. This simple change of one digit has brought in THOUSAND$$$ in the past 2 years.

The increase must be in oversized type, follow your local and state laws on timing, some places have 30, 45 and 60 day requirements. If you are a good manager you will be inspecting every 3-4 months and billing damages in next rent cycle so when they move there should not be much to use up the damage deposit. The unit should be move in ready so they get the full deposit back, I advise on the beginning I don't want your money, just a clean place.