What can/can't I include?

Here are the standard things I want to include:

Rent is due on the 1st of every month ($25 late fee for every 10 days)
Single Person ONLY
no smoking in side of the apartment/out doors only (must clean up after themselves)
no loud music/T.V after 11 pm
no pets
No Washing Machine
No blocking the driveway
Limited access to backyard- Request must be submitted within 1 week of event (BBQ/Party etc)

What i also want to include but don't know if its LEGAL or how to put into words

I don't want random people coming in and out of my house at all hours, don't want them hanging out in the hallway or front of the house.

Can I limit visitors?

You can draw up any lease you want and request all of the above. However, it may not be legal and I already see some of your wants as a violation of civil rights. You may need a customized lease and that would likely require a real estate attorney's advice. You may find no or few takes of this lease. You can say only one tenant but can't say single.

I meant only single occupant not single as in status. What are the other violations?

That was the first thing that caught my eye. Your smoking rule is fine but the outside clean up is too vague and unenforceable as is how loud is loud music. You'd be better off to say no music after 11:00

no smoking in side of the apartment/out doors only (must clean up after themselves)
no loud music/T.V after 11 pm
no pets
No Washing Machine
No blocking the driveway
Limited access to backyard- Request must be submitted within 1 week of event (BBQ/Party etc)
I don't want random people coming in and out of my house at all hours, don't want them hanging out in the hallway or front of the house.

Can i limit visitors?Hello k:

I've been in PRISONS with less restrictions...

excon

I would strongly suggest you find and join a local landlord's association. They can advise you what lease provisions will stand and what won't stand.

I'm not sure you can charge an escalating late fee. Definitely one late fee is allowed, but I don't think you can add on for every 10 days.

You can certainly specify a single occupant. You can probably limit overnight visits. The 11PM curfew is reasonable. As is no smoking and no pets. You can also add something about maintaining the property.

You can specify that guests are not allowed to hang out around the property without prior permission.

Hello Scott,

I didn't mean to imply that she COULDN'T have those restrictions... I'm only saying that she's going to have a tough time finding a tenant - unless of course, she's charging fire sale prices...

Most people who rent, even if it's JUST a room in a private house, want their privacy respected, and their freedom to do as they choose in their own lodgings...

Even if she finds someone who is so desperate that they're WILLING to put up with the restrictions, the landlady is setting herself up to be a COP instead of a landlord. With those kids of restrictions, she's going to suffer the problems cops do too.

I realize that renting a room in your HOME is quite a bit different than renting an apartment. However, if having an independent person living in your home is TOO much for her, maybe she shouldn't attempt it.

excon

PS> So, upon reading further, I can't ascertain, whether this is, in fact, a room in a house, or whether it's an apartment with a kitchen and it's own entrance...

If it's the latter, ain't nobody going to rent it. Who would?

I didn't mean to leave you out of the discussion, k. Even though I addressed Scott, my post is directed at you.

I agree, imposing such restrictions is going to make it much harder, maybe impossible, to find a tenant. That doesn't mean they can't try.

It looks to me like the OP is renting an accessory apartment in their home. Which brings up another issue about whether such an apartment is legal or not.

Hmm, I am a little shocked as I've always rented from a private house and most of the items I listed were in my lease. I thought it was the norm when you're renting from the owner instead of the super in a building.

The clean up is for them not to leave cigarettes all over the front of the house after they smoke- I can get fined for this (which I have before)

Hello again, k:

Your state landlord tenant law applies to you just as it would a large apartment complex. If you're going to BE a landlord, I'd get familiar with them because they ARE the rules of the landlord business... And, you wouldn't play poker without knowing the rules, would you?

We have a copy of them at the top of the real estate page on a sticky note... You can ADD all the restrictions you want that don't conflict with your tenant's rights. It ISN'T a one way street.

excon

Just because you didn't know better doesn't mean they are the norm. Like I said, most of the provisions are reasonable. You can be more general in the cleanup issue without breaking the laws or making it more onerous.

As to attracting tenants, it depends on the market in your area.