We are having problem with tenants not returning lease renewals. I'm wondering what other landlords are doing about this? What do you find effective? --71.59.xxx.xxx

Note: At this time we are doing annual leases; things will be different if we do month-to-month. --75.11.xx.xx

If they don't sign, no problem, their rent jumps 10% and they are month to month. Win win for me. I haven't had to do it yet. I just mention well it's not a problem that you haven't signed the new lease, just remember your rent will go up 10%. Weird how quickly the lease gets signed. --65.188.xxx.xxx

And notice period to end lease goes from 60 days in the written lease to 7 days per state notice law. That is enough to force people to either renew or properly give notice they are leaving. --72.82.xx.xx

I consider that painting yourself into a corner, i only do month to month.if i was in your situation and they dont return it i would send them a notice to move --98.98.xx.xx

For that reason my yearly lease just continues month to month. Sorta like your mortgage payment, get in the habit of paying it month and forgot about, just pay it. If they ever decide to move holding them accountable with the paperwork and ETF and balance of lease is nearly impossible for me. If it's time for them to move they will move, no paperwork keeps them hostage. Anyways are you sending this lease renewal on paper or electronically? And how much time do you give them? --172.59.xxx.xx

It's all about the notice. --72.82.xx.xx

WMH-In NY they have to give a 30 day notice,i cant charge 2 months rent as security like i believe you have said you can and no judge makes a tenant honor a lease in any way so it just ties my hands and not the tenants so each state has its own situation. --98.98.xx.xx

You’re setting yourself up for failure by not meeting them in person and getting it signed right there. --24.152.xxx.xx

WMH: Exactly --75.11.xx.xx

If you don't have it, you set yourself up for failure --98.17.xx.x

No hold-over fee for us - rent increase works better. Hold-over gets complicated and has to be explained. Rent increase if they don't sign is straightforward. --72.82.xx.xx

NE has it right if you're going to do that. any other way comes with a lot of hoping! --172.59.xxx.xx

No signature required. Does your internet company get your signature when they bump your monthly price up $5-$10? Heck, ours doesn't even give us notice. --104.230.xxx.xxx

Thank you all for providing your experience in this issue of unreturned lease renewal. We like the idea of less paperwork and will be looking into several of your ideas. Drop box is new to us, but might lighten our paperwork load. What we have done if the tenant doesn't renew the lease they become a month to month tenant and the rent goes up average $100 until the lease is completely signed and in our office. Unfortunately some people pay the $100 and the they never return the new lease. We are wondering what Ray in Pa means when he mentions a hold over fee. Some of our tenants once we met in person for the initial lease signing, we may never see again but we do see their payments and lease renewals. Thanks again, greatly appreciate you suggestions. --71.59.xxx.xxx

I have had sloppy applicants who lose the property because they didn’t preform on time. You snooz you lose. I had one applicant lose the property and his court case. --99.23.xxx.x

Our lease changes just like our Security Deposits change, even if the Tenant doesn't: we raise the amounts held in trust when we raise the rent and we change the lease with each signing. --173.28.xx.xxx

Putting that on my to-do list for this year. Thanks for giving me more work to do! --107.147.xx.xx

That way I know if they have the newest one without having to look for the changes I made last time. --107.147.xx.xx