DMS Properties, LLC can help you find tenants for your home without these exhorbitant real estate brokerage commissions, using our Tenant Placement Service Agreement.

While we don't market properties in the MLS, we advertise our homes through various Internet outlets. Typically, there are no REALTORS involved in the rental process on behalf of the tenants. This means that we can market the home for much less, thus saving you money! As an added bonus, if we work on finding the tenants for you, we will waive our management fee until the tenants move in.

When we begin marketing your property (or managing it prior to getting tenants) we will routinely place a lock box on the home, especially if it is vacant. This is done, of course, only after the owner signs our Lock Box Authorization. This makes it easier for us to facilitate showings of the property to potential tenants and to allow easy access by our contractors if they will be doing some work on the property for you.

Our approach isn't going to work well for every property, and there are many other ways of finding tenants for your property. Obviously, you can market the home for rent on your own ... placing advertisements in the newspapers, placing signs at Supermarkets and on Community Bulletin Boards, and putting a "For Rent by Owner" Sign in the yard.

Another option for you for finding tenants is to list your property for rent and have the marketing done by a real estate brokerage firm. Many companies can do this for you, but they will charge you a commission to do so. This method will get the most exposure possible for the property, though, but giving up the first month's rent up front is not always possible for cash-strapped homeowners.

Tenant Placement Service Agreement

A synopsis of our Tenant Placement Service Agreement is provided below. We'll be happy to answer any questions that you have about the provisions shown here:

1. Owner agrees to pay a Tenant Placement Service fee of 50% of the first month’s rent. If Owner finds a potential tenant who submits a satisfactory Rental Application, then this Tenant Placement Service fee is waived.

Owner understands and agrees that DMS Properties, LLC is not a Real Estate Brokerage Firm and, as such, does not ordinarily cooperate with such firms or their agents for tenant placement services.

In the event an agent from a Real Estate Brokerage Firm brings a tenant, Owner agrees that the cooperating Agent is entitled to a finders’ fee equal to 25% of the first month’s rent.

Owner agrees, however, that any applications (regardless of how they are received) must be processed by DMS Properties, LLC to determine the tenant’s ability to perform under any lease and the prospective tenants will be subject to a $40 per adult application processing fee.

2. During the course of this agreement, DMS Properties, LLC shall represent the interests of Owner by:

a. performing the terms of the Agreement

b. seeking a tenant at a price and terms agreed upon herein or that are otherwise acceptable to the Owner(s)

c. presenting to Owner all offers or counteroffers received from potential tenants

d. disclosing to Owner all material facts related to the Property or concerning the transaction of which DMS Properties, LLC has actual knowledge

e. accounting for all money and property received in which Owner has or may have an interest

Unless otherwise provided by law or Owner consents in writing herein or elsewhere to the release of the information, DMS Properties, LLC shall maintain the confidentiality of all personal and financial information and other matters identified as confidential by Owner. In satisfying these duties, DMS Properties, LLC shall exercise ordinary care, comply with all applicable laws and regulations and treat all prospective tenants honestly and not knowingly give them false information.

DMS Properties, LLC shall disclose to prospective tenants all material adverse facts pertaining to the physical condition of the Property which are actually known. In addition, DMS Properties, LLC may provide assistance to a tenant or prospective tenant by performing ministerial acts that are not inconsistent with other duties under this Agreement.

3. Owner agrees that DMS Properties, LLC may place a “For Rent” sign on the property and will produce such advertising as deemed necessary and appropriate for tenant placement.

In addition, Owner agrees to allow DMS Properties, LLC to place a lock box on the property (See the Lock Box Authorization) to enable contractors to access the property, if necessary, during the course of this agreement. Such lock box may also be used by any cooperating agents who wish to show the property, after they are properly identified. If a tenant is occupying the property during the term of this agreement, the tenant must also agree to the lock box placement.

4. Owner understands and agrees that it is Owner’s responsibility to comply with governmental licensing and code requirements. Owner must also comply with legal requirements of the appropriate governmental jurisdiction and Owner should seek the advice of legal counsel.

DMS Properties, LLC may provide certain information and/or forms required for compliance, but in no way warrants that all required information and/or forms have been provided. Owner will indemnify and hold DMS Properties, LLC harmless for any liability in that regard. Owner retains full responsibility for the property, including all utilities, maintenance, security liability and adequate insurance coverage during the term of this Agreement.

Owner represents that the property ____ was OR ____ was not constructed before 1978. If the dwelling was constructed before 1978, Federal laws mandate that Owner complete and sign the “Rental: Disclosure And Acknowledgement of Information on Lead-Based Paint And/Or Lead-Based Paint Hazards” (attached). Owner acknowledges that DMS Properties, LLC has informed Owner of Owner’s obligations under the law and Owner agrees to fulfill this obligation to said law.

Owner also understands and agrees that Maryland properties built prior to 1979 are ALSO subject to the Maryland Department of Environment law regarding inspections and disclosures. Appropriate Maryland forms, including a copy of any inspection certificate must be provided to DMS Properties, LLC. Properties built between 1950 and 1979 may be registered in the Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Program; homes built prior to 1950 MUST BE registered in the Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Program before they can be rented.

5. The terms and conditions of this Agreement will be used as a basis for presenting the Property to prospective tenants, and unless amended in writing, contains the final and entire Agreement between the parties. The parties shall not be bound by any terms, conditions, oral statements, warranties or representations not contained herein.

Lock Box Authorization

A synopsis of the terms and conditions of our Lock Box Authorization are shown below. We will be happy to answer any questions that you have about the use of a lock box on your home.

1. Upon execution of this Agreement, DMS Properties, LLC the Owner authorized DMS Properties, LLC to place a lock box on the Owner’s Property in which they key to the Owner’s Property will be stored. The Owner authorizes DMS Properties and its authorized users to access the Owner’s property during the term of this Agreement. Owner, upon written notice to DMS Properties, LLC at any time may terminate this authorization.

2. It is understood by Owner that there is a possibility that a person may use the lock box in an unauthorized manner, enter the Property and unlawfully remove personal property or destroy or damage the Property or personal property located therein. Accordingly, the Owner agrees as follows:

(a) Owner acknowledges that Owner must take all necessary steps to safeguard and/or remove all valuables and other personal property located in the property.

(b) Owner acknowledges that it is not a requirement of DMS Properties, LLC that Owner allow the use of a lock box, but that Owner has elected to use a lock box.

(c) If a tenant occupies the Property, Owner acknowledges that DMS Properties, LLC may not install the lock box unless the Tenant consents to the use of the lock box as evidenced by the signature of the Tenant below.

(d) Owner acknowledges that neither DMS Properties, LLC or any authorized users is an insurer against the loss or damage to Owner’s Property, personal property or valuables. Owner acknowledges that Owner has been advised of the need to verify the existence of insurance for loss or damage to real and personal property, or to obtain such insurance through Owner’s insurance agent.

3. In consideration of the Agreement of DMS Properties, LLC to place a lock box on the Property of the Owner, Owner hereby agrees that Owner shall hold harmless and indemnify DMS Properties, LLC and all authorized users of and from any liability for loss or damage sustained by Owner or others (except if such loss or damage is caused by any act of misconduct by the Indemnified Parties which is willful, wanton, reckless or amounts to gross negligence) as a result of the installation or use or unauthorized use of the lock box by anyone on the Property of Owner. Owner does hereby expressly assume all risks of loss or damage to the above-described Property and its furnishings, personal property and contents, if any, including any and all loss or damage which may be caused by the unauthorized use of the lock box (except if such loss or damage is caused by an act of misconduct by the Indemnified Parties which is willful, wanton, reckless or amounts to gross negligence).

4.This Lock Box Authorization constitutes the sold agreement between DMS Properties, LLC and the Owner with respect to placing a lock box on the Property. If for any reason any of the terms of this Authorization shall be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, this Authorization will continue in full force and effect and the unenforceable terms and conditions shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make those terms and conditions enforceable. This Authorization shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

5. Receipt of a copy of this Authorization is hereby acknowledged by Owner.

There is aslo a section to be signed by any tenants who are still living in the property, whereby the agree to allow the home to be shown and agree to abide by the terms and conditions above.