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Choosing Tenants: Avoid Fair Housing Complaints and Lawsuits

Federal and state antidiscrimination laws limit what you can say and do in the tenant selection process. You need to know the rules before you create a rental application, check an applicant's credit and references, or reject a tenant. If you don't, you can find yourself at the wrong end of a fair housing complaint. To avoid trouble when choosing tenants, keep in mind the following best practices.

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What does 'last month's rent' really mean?

A tenant has been in my single-family rental for three years, on a month-to-month basis. When she moved in, I collected a security deposit (equal to a month's rent) and the last month's rent. Last year, I raised the rent by $50 per month. I now want to terminate her tenancy with a 30-day notice. I know that I have been paid for the last month, but can I legally expect her to pay the extra $50?

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Forms for Landlords

  1. Agreement to Terminate Residential Lease
  2. Commercial Gross Lease
  3. Commercial Net Lease for Part of Building
  4. Consent to Assignment of Residential Lease
  5. Fixed-Term Residential Lease
  6. Landlord-Tenant Checklist
  7. Month-to-Month Residential Rental Agreement
  8. Residential Rental Application
Find a Real Estate Lawyer
Nolo's Online Will
Every Landlord's Guide to Finding Great Tenants
Every Landlord's Guide to Finding Great Tenants
Book w/ CDROM / $16.99
eBook / $14.99

Leases & Rental Agreements
Leases & Rental Agreements
Book / $19.99
eBook / $17.99

Every Landlord's Legal Guide
Every Landlord's Legal Guide
Book w/ CDROM / $29.99
eBook / $27.99

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