Unforeseen events in life can alter your living circumstances. Tenants, like everyone else, undergo various life changes. It’s important to adjust the lease occupant list of your Anchorage rental property to reflect any changes like divorce, death, or additional roommates or family members.
Keeping a current tally of all tenants and occupants in each rental unit is crucial for the peace of mind of both the property owner and the tenants. This ensures clarity on who resides at the property and who is accountable for rent and additional responsibilities.
Why is it Important to Amend a Lease?
If you own a single-family rental property, prioritizing lease management is essential. This legal document, your lease agreement, delineates the obligations and terms for both tenants and landlord. It is therefore essential for the lease to clearly articulate and detail all facets of the rental agreement.
Make sure to include the names of all tenants and additional occupants in the lease as a key detail. The inclusion is necessary because landlords bear responsibility for the safety and security of both the property and its inhabitants. Only the individuals who signed the lease can be held liable if an unauthorized resident damages your property. Likewise, you cannot pursue rent from adult occupants who are not specified in the lease if the listed tenants stop paying rent.
A meticulous lease agreement eliminates potential tenant disputes and solidifies your understanding of your rights and responsibilities as a landlord.
Reasons for a Lease Amendment.
Changes in circumstances often necessitate updates for tenants listed on a lease. When a tenant passes away or has a divorce, the other tenant might prefer to continue living in the rental unit. Thus, the lease should be modified to accurately reflect the responsible tenant.
Additionally, events like marriage or the addition of new household members necessitate updating the lease. Always ensure all adults, including family members and approved roommates, are listed in the rental agreement. Landlords should confirm all incoming residents and be alerted when they vacate to ensure everything runs smoothly. Each instance of an adult moving into or out of the rental should prompt a lease modification. For extended leases, creating an addendum to list new occupants is something a landlord can do.
The variability of lease agreements with tenant transitions and respective laws requires individual consideration of each case. Real Property Management Last Frontier is equipped to handle the management of your rental properties and tenants in Anchorage and the surrounding area, including any changes to leases. Call us at 907-268-4779 or contact us online for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
