How should I write a tenant guest policy?
A lease agreement should include a clause that limits the use and occupancy of a rental unit. This lease clause helps protect the landlord if a tenant tries to move in a family member or friend as a permanent resident. As generally written, the clause identifies the rental unit as the private residence of the named tenants only (i.e., the signers on the lease) and any minor children. Occupancy by guests of a tenant for a period of time more than the specified time period per landlord rules and regulations is prohibited without the written consent of the landlord. Non-compliance by the guest of the lease terms and conditions will be considered a breach of the tenant’s lease agreement and subject to the remedies as stated in the lease.
The limitation on guest overnight stays should be reasonable in the number of days during a specified time period. As an example, a landlord could limit guest stays of a particular guest to a number not to exceed fourteen consecutive calendar days and a total of twenty days per year.