Landlord Document Bundle

Most small landlords own one good document, the lease, and improvise everything around it. The deposit dispute is lost because there is no signed move-in report. The rent increase is challenged because the letter never stated a notice window. The late payer is never formally noticed, so nothing can escalate. Self-managing landlords with one to a handful of doors hit these gaps in the first year.

This bundle ships six editable Word documents, each opening with a plain-language disclaimer and a one-paragraph how-to. The Residential Lease Agreement runs 12 numbered sections from Parties and Property through General Provisions, with signature lines for a landlord and two tenants (628 words). The Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist walks 33 items across entry and living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, systems and exterior, plus keys returned and a photo log, each rated OK, Damaged, or Missing at move-in and move-out side by side. The Rental Application Form collects applicant, three-year residence history, employment and income, background questions, and a separate screening authorization. The Lease Renewal and Rent Increase file holds two letters: a renewal offer to send 60 to 90 days out and a rent-increase notice with a prompt to check your state or city minimum notice. The Late Rent file holds two notices: a friendly day-late reminder and a formal notice to pay rent or quit with a method-of-service line. The Maintenance Request Form has a tenant request section and a landlord triage section with emergency, urgent, and routine tiers. A 5-page Start-Here PDF indexes the set.

You leave with a signed paper trail at every step that tends to end up in a deposit hearing or small-claims court. To start: open the lease, fill the bracketed fields for your property and state, and delete clauses that do not apply. Then print two copies of the inspection checklist for your next move-in and photograph anything not marked OK. Finally, save the two late-rent notices with your late fee and grace period filled in so they are ready the first time rent is late.