Leases
The first line of defense in dealing with problem tenants is having a good written lease. While it is possible to have oral leases of residential units, written leases almost always provide superior protections for landlords. Scott Law Firm will provide a package containing a lease and related forms upon a landlord's request. Leasing forms are provided in paper format only for a flat fee of $100.00. Leasing forms are provided in electronic format for a flat fee of $120.00. Landlords or property managers who desire to review our leasing forms before deciding whether to purchase them may review them on paper at our office. Upon payment arrangements being made, clients able to download files from this website will receive a password so they can open a file containing all of our leasing forms in password-protected electronic format. The appropriate file can be downloaded from one of the following links:
Those purchasing the downloaded leasing forms should download the following PDF file: Guidelines for use of electronic leasing forms file
Clients also should download the following lead-paint documents in PDF format for use with leases for properties built before 1978:
For new clients, pre-payment for leasing forms is generally required. We accept payment by credit card - call us at 573-442-7268 to arrange a credit card payment. Existing clients with good payment histories will be billed for leasing forms.
Clients who are unable to download or open our leasing forms from this website may request electronic copies of the forms on a CD or via email.
All of the leasing forms we provide except the lead-paint documents are copyrighted by Scott Law Firm. Clients and their employees may use and modify our forms for use with their own properties or properties they manage for others, but may not give or sell our forms to anyone else.
Forms included in our package include:
- Rental Application
- Resources for Background Checks
- Statement of Credit Denial
- Residential Lease
- Animal Agreement
- Sublease Agreement
- Guarantee of Lease
- Lease Renewal
- Notice of Non-Renewal of Lease
- Lead Paint Disclosure
- Lead Paint Pamphlet
- Security Deposit Guidelines
- Security Deposit Inspection Notice
- Security Deposit Statement
If you do not elect to use Scott Law Firm's leasing forms. you should review the lease forms you now use to ensure that your leases include the following minimum points, most of which cannot be adequately addressed in an oral lease:
- Identity of landlord or agent
- Identity of tenant(s) (make clear multiple tenants are "jointly and severally liable")
- Identification of premises leased and items included such as appliances and furnishings, storage space, parking space, etc.
- Beginning and ending dates
- Amount of rent and due date (add late charges and bad check charges if desired)
- Location where rent must be paid
- Amount of security deposit, if any
- Inspection of premises by tenant with notation of existing damage
- Who is permitted to occupy premises
- Permitted activities (residential use only? business activities allowed?)
- Responsibility for utility payments and trash collection
- Responsibility for maintenance, repairs and cleaning
- Prohibit alterations without landlord's consent
- Prohibit assignment or subleasing without landlord's consent
- Non-liability and indemnification of landlord for injuries to tenants and tenants' property
- Provisions for termination of tenancy
- Payment of attorney's fees, litigation expenses and court costs (IMPORTANT NOTE: You will not be able to obtain a judgment for attorney's fees and litigation expenses if you do not have a clause in a written lease requiring the tenant to pay them.)
- All amounts owed under lease, including
payments by landlord for tenant, are "additional rent" � this
may allow remedies the same as for non-payment of rent
Incorporate rules and regulations and lease application. - Waive common-law notice requirements for forfeiture
- Waive jury trial and establish venue (court location) for lawsuits.