What do I need to know about becoming a landlord?

Renting an ADU comes with many responsibilities, including understanding local and state housing laws, executing a lease, finding and managing a tenant, and maintaining a rental property. It’s important to understand the laws as they may affect things like future rent increases, changing use over time, evicting tenants, and moving family into the unit.

Prepare to rent your unit by getting insurance, setting up utilities, creating a street number, and developing a plan to handle finances. You’ll also need to establish a lease or rental agreement that clearly identifies expectations and responsibilities and meets your goals.

See our Guidebook for resources on understanding rental laws, tenants’ rights, and more, and our Exercises for help with your lease terms