Quick Tip #9: What’s in a Word?
Did you know that, in legal terms, the word
may is very different than the word
shall?
Lawyers spend years dicing over such trivia, but that’s because they understand the bottom line: errors in your lease agreement could mean that a judge won’t enforce it. Then, it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.
Lawyers are expensive – no mincing words there. But they are essential to developing a solid lease agreement. Online forms may (shall?) lower your costs. When choosing online forms, go with the ones that are specifically tailored for landlords, and applicable to your state. See our blog,
How To Make Online Forms Work for You.
Then, have your lawyer review it.
Once you have a great lease, don’t change it without talking to the lawyer.
Do you have a tip to share with other landlords? Email our editor at
[email protected].