You do not want to agree to something that you aren’t comfortable with. First though, it is a good idea to understand what a houseboat rental agreement really is.
Just like any rental contract, a houseboat rental agreement is the same as renting an apartment. It is basically a contract between the renter and landlord. A rental agreement can be an oral or written contract between each party, and creates a legal relationship that must be agreed to by both the renter and owner of the houseboat. The person renting the houseboat must agree to, and consent to, all of the rules laid out by the landowner. Conditions and terms of the rental agreement are dependant to the local jurisdiction.
For the most part, there are two types of rental contracts. A periodic agreement and fixed term agreement. Each of these contracts has its own advantage. It is important for you to find a contract that works for you. You want to be comfortable and know that you are protected in case of something happening during the rent term.
A majority of houseboat rental agreements are fixed agreements. Fixed contracts are great for laying out a specific time in which the renter can reside on the houseboat. If a renter decides to leave the houseboat after he/she has signed the contract, fixed agreements have sub-clauses to help you decide what you should do.
If you are looking for something a little bit more flexible, than a periodic rental agreement is a good choice. For the person renting, they have the opportunity to leave the contract at any given time. The landlord can also do this if he or she wishes. Landlords also have the ability to raise the rent at any time.
Never ever enter into an oral agreement. They only cause problems for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you personally know the people renting the houseboat; it still isn’t a good idea. If a misunderstanding were to occur it would be a pain to handle and the only back-up you have is someone’s word. It is best to have a written agreement of some type just so you can protect your assets.
Make sure that you include the names of everyone staying on the vessel in your houseboat rental agreement. In doing so, each tenant must be responsible to abiding by all the rules in the contract. This also makes sure that no one else will be moving in without your notice.
Always remember that an agreement to lease a houseboat is first and foremost a legal document. It shouldn’t be taken lightly and must be treated as so. If you need help making one or understanding your houseboat rental agreement, get a lawyer to help you understand it better. Renting your houseboat out shouldn’t be and doesn’t have to be a huge headache. |
