5020 Niagara Rd

Lease terms

LEASE TERMS AND PROPERTY RULES 1. LEASED PREMISES AND SHARED AREAS This lease covers the private three-bedroom, one-bath main/upper unit at 5020 Niagara Road, College Park, Maryland 20740. A separate basement apartment is independently occupied and is not included in this lease. Tenant and Tenant's occupants or guests may not enter the basement apartment without express permission from the lawful occupant and Landlord. The backyard is a shared exterior area. Street parking is public, nonexclusive, and not guaranteed by Landlord. 2. MONTHLY RENT Monthly rent is $2,500 and is due on the date stated in the lease. The first month's rent must be paid before possession, keys, or access codes are provided. If rent remains unpaid for more than five calendar days after the due date, Landlord may assess a one-time late fee of $75, provided that the fee does not exceed the maximum permitted by Maryland law. 3. SECURITY DEPOSIT The security deposit is $2,500 and is due at lease signing. The security deposit will be held, administered, and returned in accordance with Maryland law. The security deposit is not an automatic penalty or lease-termination fee. Lawful deductions may be made for unpaid rent, actual losses resulting from a lease violation, or damage caused by Tenant, approved occupants, pets, or guests beyond ordinary wear and tear. Any unused portion of the security deposit, together with any interest required by law, will be returned within the legally required period. If deductions are made, Landlord will provide the required itemized statement and supporting documentation. 4. LEASE DOCUMENTS AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES The lease will be prepared, delivered, managed, and signed electronically through Zillow Leasing Tools unless the parties agree in writing to another method. The lease will include any disclosures, notices, addenda, and tenant-rights documents required by Maryland, Prince George's County, and the City of College Park. 5. UTILITIES AND INCLUDED SERVICES Monthly rent includes ordinary residential use of: * Electricity * Gas * Water * Trash service * Wi-Fi * Routine landscaping Tenant is not required to establish separate accounts for these included services. Tenant must use utilities responsibly and may not intentionally waste utilities, tamper with meters or equipment, or operate unauthorized commercial or unusually energy-intensive equipment at the property. Landlord is not responsible for temporary service interruptions caused by a utility company, internet provider, weather event, emergency, or other circumstances outside Landlord's reasonable control. Landlord will make reasonable efforts to address service issues within Landlord's responsibility. 6. FURNITURE AND LANDLORD-OWNED PROPERTY The unit is rented furnished. The included furniture and its condition will be documented through photographs, the move-in inspection, or a furniture inventory addendum. Furniture may not be removed from the property, discarded, replaced, materially altered, or placed outdoors without Landlord's prior written approval. Tenant is responsible for loss or damage to Landlord-owned furniture, appliances, and other property beyond ordinary wear and tear. 7. SMOKING AND VAPING Smoking or vaping tobacco, cannabis, or any other substance is prohibited inside the rental unit and all other interior areas of the property. Tenant is responsible for ensuring that approved occupants and guests comply with this policy. 8. PETS AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS No pet may be kept at the property without prior written approval from Bess Home Services LLC. Any approved pet must be identified in a written pet addendum that establishes the applicable rules and responsibilities. Approval of one animal does not constitute approval of another animal or replacement animal. Service animals and assistance animals are not treated as pets and will be addressed in accordance with applicable fair-housing laws. 9. APPLICATION AND SCREENING REQUIREMENTS Each adult applicant must complete a Zillow rental application and any lawful screening process required by Landlord. Screening may include identity, income, credit, background, rental-history, and reference verification. Screening requirements will be applied consistently and in accordance with applicable fair-housing and consumer-reporting laws. Only individuals identified in the executed lease or subsequently approved in writing may reside at the property. 10. RENTER'S INSURANCE Tenant must obtain and continuously maintain renter's insurance throughout the lease term, including at least $100,000 in personal liability coverage. Proof of active coverage must be provided before move-in and upon renewal or reasonable request. Bess Home Services LLC should be listed as an interested party where the insurance provider permits. Renter's insurance does not eliminate Tenant's responsibility for damage, loss, or liability caused by Tenant, approved occupants, pets, or guests. 11. RETURNED OR REJECTED PAYMENTS A payment returned, reversed, rejected, or dishonored by a financial institution may be subject to a collection or returned-payment fee of up to $35, provided all required notices are given and the charge is permitted by applicable law. A returned payment does not satisfy the underlying rent or other lawful amount owed. 12. MAINTENANCE AND DAMAGE REPORTING Tenant must promptly report all damage, leaks, plumbing problems, electrical issues, appliance failures, pest concerns, safety hazards, and other maintenance needs. Emergencies involving fire, active flooding, gas odor, loss of essential services, or an immediate threat to health or safety must be reported immediately through the emergency contact method provided by Landlord. Landlord will make reasonable efforts to acknowledge nonemergency maintenance requests within 48 hours. Completion time will depend on the nature of the issue, required access, parts availability, contractor scheduling, and other circumstances. Tenant may not perform or authorize repairs, alterations, or contractor work without Landlord's prior written approval, except where expressly permitted by law. 13. CLEANLINESS AND PROPERTY CONDITION Tenant must maintain the rental unit in a reasonably clean, safe, and sanitary condition. Tenant is responsible for damage caused by Tenant, approved occupants, pets, or guests beyond ordinary wear and tear. Tenant must also keep shared exterior areas free of personal trash, pet waste, and improperly stored belongings. 14. LANDSCAPING AND EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE Routine landscaping is included in the monthly rent. Tenant must provide reasonable access to exterior areas when landscaping or property maintenance is scheduled and may not obstruct or interfere with authorized maintenance work. 15. SUBLETTING AND SHORT-TERM RENTALS Tenant may not assign the lease, sublease any portion of the premises, rent individual bedrooms, host paying occupants, or advertise or operate an Airbnb, vacation rental, or other short-term rental without Landlord's prior written consent. Advertising the property or any portion of it for rent without written approval constitutes a material lease violation. 16. ALTERATIONS, LOCKS, AND INSTALLATIONS Tenant may not paint, remodel, replace locks, install permanent fixtures, mount exterior equipment, or make other material alterations without Landlord's prior written approval. Tenant may not duplicate, transfer, or share entry codes or keys with unauthorized individuals. 17. CONDUCT, NOISE, AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Tenant, approved occupants, and guests must comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and City of College Park laws, housing codes, occupancy restrictions, and property rules. Conduct that creates an unreasonable disturbance, excessive noise, dangerous conditions, harassment, property damage, or illegal activity is prohibited. Tenant must respect the separately occupied basement apartment, neighbors, and shared areas. A material lease violation may result in written notice and lawful remedies, including termination or repossession proceedings, only as permitted by the lease and applicable law. 18. MOVE-OUT REQUIREMENTS At move-out, Tenant must: * Vacate by the required deadline; * Remove all personal property, food, and trash; * Return all keys, access devices, and entry information; * Leave Landlord-owned furniture and appliances in their proper condition; * Leave the unit reasonably clean and sanitary; and * Return the premises in substantially the same condition as received, excluding ordinary wear and tear. The security deposit will be processed in accordance with Maryland law. Charges will not be assessed for ordinary wear and tear. 19. APPLICABLE LAW These terms are governed by applicable federal, Maryland, Prince George's County, and City of College Park laws. Nothing in the lease waives or limits any nonwaivable right or remedy available to Landlord or Tenant. If any provision conflicts with applicable law, the law will control and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.