Lease Agreement Must-Haves: The Importance of Including Storage Bins in Your Sublet Contract
When it comes to leasing or subletting a property, many people tend to focus on the big-ticket items like rent, security deposit, and lease duration. However, there are several other important terms and conditions that should also be included in your lease agreement – one of which is the inclusion of storage bins. Whether you are a landlord or a subletter, this article will help you understand the importance of having storage bins explicitly stated in your sublet contract.
Why Include Storage Bins in Your Sublet Contract?
1. Convenience for the Tenant
Many tenants need extra storage for their belongings, especially if they have a small unit or lack storage space in their living area. By providing a storage bin to your tenant, you are offering a convenient solution to their problem. Additionally, it could help encourage them to choose your property over another one that doesn’t offer this added amenity.
2. Protection of Your Property
When a tenant has ample space to store their belongings, it reduces the chances of them cluttering the living area or leaving things lying around. This reduces the risk of items in the property getting damaged, thereby saving you the cost of repairs. Additionally, having a designated storage area ensures that your tenant’s belongings are not displaced, damaged, or stolen, which would otherwise result in legal disputes.
3. Greater Flexibility for Tenants
Lease agreements typically have provisions regarding property modifications. Depending on the lease agreement, tenants might not be allowed to make any modifications to the property, such as installing shelves or storage units. Including storage units in the lease agreement gives the tenant the flexibility to store property without needing to modify the property.
4. Increased Control for Landlords
By including storage bins in the lease agreement, landlords can regulate the number of storage units allocated to a particular tenant, how they use them and restrict unauthorized access. This ensures that only the tenant who signed the agreement and not third parties have access to the storage spaces, which ensures the safety of your tenant’s property.
5. Avoidance of Misunderstandings
By explicitly stating the inclusion of storage bins in the lease agreement, landlords eliminate any misunderstandings that may arise regarding the availability of extra storage space. It also eliminates any disputes that may arise from the lack of clarity, leading to more harmonious relationships between the landlord and tenant.
FAQS
Q: Can a landlord charge extra for storage bins?
A: Yes, they can. However, charging for storage bins should be explicitly stated in the lease agreement. The rent should reflect the cost of the storage space and provide a breakdown of costs.
Q: Who is responsible for maintaining the storage bins?
A: Typically, the tenant is responsible for maintaining the storage bins, ensuring that they don’t damage them in any way. However, the lease agreement should stipulate any maintenance responsibilities.
Q: What happens if a tenant exceeds the storage unit capacity?
A: The lease agreement should stipulate the number and size of the storage bins provided to the tenant. If the tenant exceeds the limit, they may have to pay extra for additional storage space.
Q: What happens to the storage bins when the tenant moves out?
A: The lease agreement should stipulate that the storage bins are not included in the property transfer and should remain with the landlord.
In conclusion, including storage bins in your sublet contract offers several benefits, not only for the tenant but also for the landlord. By providing additional storage space, tenants can better organize their belongings and keep the living space tidy, which protects your property. Additionally, landlords can better regulate storage space, which ensures safety for tenants’ property. Be sure to explicitly state the terms of the storage bin usage in your lease agreement and any associated costs to avoid misunderstandings.
