All Forum Posts by: Steve Nowak

First, be sure that you are familiar with your state's landlord/tenant laws.

You can search online for examples of leases in your state.  Often, colleges and universities that provide housing have copies of their lease templates on their websites.  I've found those to be a good starting point.

You might also want to check with some local attorneys about how much they charge to write up an agreement.  

Also, local organizations of landlords and/or realtors provide leases for their members, although a membership fee is required.

No two circumstances are exactly alike, but I don't think that it's generally a good idea to rent to family or friends, for reasons described above.

And, I've learned to avoid social media "friendships" (via Facebook, etc.) with my tenants.

Then it sounds like a "he said/she said" situation. I would try to let them work it out themselves, but encourage the tenant to keep a log of the noise issues in case things get escalated, and let the HOA know that there are two sides of the story (if you haven't already).

Is the tenant also complaining, about the neighbor's dog's barking?

I agree on both counts.  My first set of tenants rented the condo where I used to live, into which I put a lot of effort to make a nice home.  I was horrified by how they left the place: pet urine stains and odors on the carpet, which I had to replace.  There was sand in the refrigerator.  The appliances were filthy.  
I no longer have the personal attachment.  And I don't allow pets anymore.  If I ever were to change the pet policy, I would wait until the tenant was there for at least six months, so I could inspect his/her cleaning habits.  And I would have a very strict pet addendum including what exactly is expected in terms of cleanliness, and raise the rent to reflect the added wear and tear that a pet will bring.

The word "clean" is open to interpretation; your future leases should define what you consider clean (e.g., floors mopped, no pet hair, no residual food stuck on the oven, etc.)

Be sure to check your state and local laws.  They can vary by location.  For example, in Massachusetts, a move-in fee is not allowed.  Security deposits are allowed, subject to very strict provisions.

Have them both be on the lease from the outset, as you should do for any set of unmarried adult tenants (one or more).

I agree, it's better to end things now, amicably.

Not allowed in Massachusetts.