Tenant Relations & Leasing Flashcards

A prospective tenant offers to pay six months' rent upfront in exchange for a lower monthly rate. What should the property manager consider first?

Answer: Review state laws on prepaid rent, which may limit how it can be held or used

State laws vary widely on prepaid rent, including how it must be held, whether it earns interest, and how it is treated upon early termination, requiring careful review.

During a lease renewal negotiation, a long-term tenant requests a rent decrease citing market conditions. What is the most effective approach?

Answer: Conduct a current market analysis and negotiate based on comparable properties and retention value

A market analysis allows the property manager to negotiate from data, balancing owner revenue goals against the cost of turnover and vacancy.

A tenant requests to add a roommate after signing the lease. What should the property manager do?

Answer: Screen the roommate applicant and execute a lease amendment if approved

The new occupant should be screened using consistent criteria, and if approved, a lease amendment should document the added occupant to protect all parties.

What is the primary legal purpose of a move-out inspection conducted with the tenant present?

Answer: To document property condition and identify damage beyond normal wear and tear collaboratively

A joint move-out inspection provides a documented record of property condition agreed upon by both parties, reducing disputes over security deposit deductions.

Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a tenant who receives military deployment orders may:

Answer: Terminate their lease early without penalty if they provide proper written notice and a copy of deployment orders

The SCRA allows active-duty servicemembers to terminate a residential lease early without penalty by providing written notice and a copy of deployment or permanent change of station orders.

What is the key distinction between 'normal wear and tear' and 'tenant damage' for security deposit purposes?

Answer: Normal wear results from ordinary use over time; damage results from negligence, abuse, or misuse

Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration from regular use (e.g., faded paint, minor carpet wear), while tenant damage results from negligence or misuse beyond ordinary use.

A property manager wants to implement a policy requiring all lease applications to include a social media account review. This policy is:

Answer: Risky because social media profiles may reveal protected class information, increasing discrimination liability

Social media profiles often reveal race, religion, family status, and other protected characteristics, exposing the property manager to Fair Housing discrimination claims even if the policy is uniformly applied.