Renting an office or apartment with a monthly contract

A contract suits a space rented by the month, such as an office or a furnished apartment. For a hall by the hour or day, use a normal booking instead. Contracts are in the rentals app.

Steps

1. Open "Contracts" and press "New contract". The space type must be a monthly one.
2. Step "1. Space type and space": pick the type, then a vacant space.
3. Step "2. Tenant": search by name or phone, or add a new tenant.
4. Step "3. Dates, rent and terms": enter the "Start date", then either "Month to month (no end date)" or an "End date". The "Monthly rent" comes from the type. Check the terms: "Deposit (months of rent)", "Grace days", "Minimum term (months)", "Notice (days)" and "Renewal".
5. Press "Create the draft". Use "Edit the draft" to change it.
6. When the tenant signs, open the draft and press "Activate". The space is reserved, the billing schedule starts, and the first invoice is issued if it is due.
7. Record what the tenant pays with "Record a payment". For the guarantee use "Receive a security deposit".

Notes

• The billing schedule on the contract lists each period with its invoice, amount and status.
• "Change the rent" (manager only) applies to periods not billed yet.
• To end: "Give notice" works out the end date from the notice period. A manager can "Terminate on a date". "Close the contract today" ends it now.
• To continue: "Renew". With a notice given, "Withdraw the notice and renew".
• The security deposit is held as money you owe the tenant, not income. "Settle the security deposit" decides how it goes back.
• The contracts list has tabs for live contracts, those ending within 30 days, drafts and quotes, and ended ones.

What the system does not do

• It does not send the contract to the tenant or ask for a signature.
• It does not send reminders when rent is late, and late fees are not available.