{"id":1174,"date":"2023-03-31T08:50:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T08:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunriserealtyny.com\/?p=1174"},"modified":"2023-04-27T10:53:52","modified_gmt":"2023-04-27T10:53:52","slug":"creating-an-apartment-guest-policy-4-signs-a-guest-has-overstayed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunriserealtyny.com\/index.php\/creating-an-apartment-guest-policy-4-signs-a-guest-has-overstayed\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating an Apartment Guest Policy: 4 Signs a Guest Has Overstayed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a landlord, you should expect your tenants to have guests over from time to time (learn what renters value most<\/a>), but you also need to make sure guests don\u2019t start treating your property like it\u2019s theirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the most common disputes between tenants and landlords<\/a>. Below, we discuss four signs that almost always indicate a guest is overstepping, and we also suggest some clauses landlords can include in their rental agreements to preclude guest-related issues from popping up in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs a Guest Has Overstayed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. The Guest Is Paying Rent<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t matter if it was a verbal agreement or something in writing: if your tenant is charging their guest rent, or the guest is paying for utilities, the tenant and guest have entered into a quasi landlord-tenant relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you become aware of this, you need to speak to your tenant immediately, as this is probably a blatant violation of the lease agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, the guest may think they enjoy the rights that the tenant has because they pay, but this isn’t the case if their name isn’t on the lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Guest Has a Key<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a guest has a key to your rental property, this should definitely be seen as a red flag. Especially if you only gave your tenant one set of keys, seeing a guest with their own keys is likely a sign that they had the original key duplicated, either legally or illegally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, if you see a guest let themselves into the unit (by unlocking it) when the tenant isn\u2019t there, this should be taken as a sign that they have their own key, which could also be a sign of subletting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Guest Is There Every Night<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tenant is allowed to have guests sleep over here and there, but if you’re seeing the same person sleep over night after night, that person should no longer be treated as a guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one reason why you should have security cameras present, as these can keep track of who comes to the property and when. And if you keep seeing the same vehicle in your driveway or parking lot every night, this should also be a sign that someone has overstayed their welcome as a guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, even if a person is at the property every day\u2014but they’re not staying over night\u2014they\u2019re still classified as a guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Guest Is Getting Mail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A guest using a property\u2019s mailing address is less common, but nonetheless it\u2019s a sign that they\u2019re using the property for their own benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get wind of this, you need to nip it in the bud right away, as there\u2019s no telling what the guest could start receiving in the mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Include in an Apartment Guest Policy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consider putting the following clauses in your apartment guest policy to make it more effective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n