If you’re interested in generating rental income to cover your mortgage costs, you’ll need more than just a spare bedroom. You’ll also need a Kansas room rental agreement.
In addition to property management software, a Kansas room rental agreement is a landlord’s best tool for staying organized and preventing misunderstandings. Rental contracts hold everyone responsible, so you don’t have to risk your relationship with your tenant (especially if it’s your close friend or family member).
In this guide, we’ll discuss the different rental laws that apply to all Kansas lease agreements, mandatory disclosures, and contract types.
Room Rental Laws
Landlord-tenant laws in Kansas govern most aspects of your tenancy. For example, all landlords must comply with the following legal guidelines:
- Give tenants reasonable notice before entering their room.
- Provide a safe, habitable room in the home.
- Respect the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment of their unit.
- Make all mandatory disclosures.
We’ll cover all Kansas room rental agreement laws in greater detail. But first, let’s review the different contract types you can use.
Different Types of Room Rental Agreements in Kansas
Choose one of the following options to create your room rental agreement in Kansas:
- Verbal agreement: These agreements rely on word of mouth, which can cause disputes between landlords and tenants.
- Fixed-term lease: We recommend a written lease with a clear start and end date if you’re looking to rent your room for 6 months to 1 year.
- Month-to-month lease: “Tenancy at will” agreements continue until either party terminates them by giving the other party written notice.
Think about whether you need flexibility or stability. It’s also a good idea to consider your relationship with the tenant and the length of the agreement. As a best practice, use a clear written lease agreement to avoid confusion.
Required Landlord Disclosures
Next, include the following mandatory disclosures in your Kansas room rental agreement.
- Lead-based paint: Landlords must disclose the presence of lead-based paint and hazards in properties built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. § 4852d).
- Landlord information: Include either the landlord’s or property manager’s name and contact information in the lease agreement (Kan. Stat. § 58-2551).
- Move-in checklist: Landlords and tenants must conduct a walkthrough and sign a checklist detailing the room’s condition within 5 days of move-in (Kan. Stat. § 58-2548).
- Utilities: If landlords charge tenants for utilities and pay the provider on the tenant’s behalf, they must explain their policy in writing, including all rates, charges, and services (Kan. Stat. § 58-25,109).
In addition to the state’s disclosure policy, the following laws govern every room rental agreement in Kansas.
Security Deposit Rules
Maximum security deposit: Landlords can collect 1 month’s rent for unfurnished rooms, and 1.5 months’ rent for furnished rooms (Kan. Stat. § 58-2550).
Security deposit receipt: State law doesn’t require landlords to issue security deposit receipts to tenants.
Deduction tracking: Create a written, itemized list of all security deposit deductions (Kan. Stat. § 58-2550).
Security deposit return: Return the security deposit and a list of deductions within 14 days of move-out, or 30 days after either party terminates the tenancy and the tenant requests the deposit in writing, whichever occurs first (Kan. Stat. § 58-2550).
Pet deposits: Pet deposits can’t exceed half of 1 month’s rent (Kan. Stat. § 58-2550).
Rent Payment Rules
Late rent fees: State law doesn’t cap late fees.
Right to withhold rent: In Kansas, tenants can’t withhold rent. If landlords fail to maintain a safe, habitable living space, tenants may terminate the lease agreement under the state’s legal process without penalty (Kan. Stat. § 58-2559).
Grace period: You don’t have to give tenants a grace period.
Pet rent: If your lease includes pet rent, you can collect it. However, federal law prohibits you from charging fees for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) or service animals (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.).
Rent Payment Increase Rules
Rent payment frequency: Landlords can increase the rent at the end of the lease.
Maximum rent payment increase: Kansas law doesn’t cap rent increases.
Rent control/stabilization: State law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants by increasing rent (Kan. Stat. § 58-2572).
Room Rental Agreement Breaches
Failure to pay: Landlords can begin the eviction process by sending tenants a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit (Kan. Stat. § 58-2563).
Lease violations: Provide a written statement explaining the breach and give tenants 14 days to resolve the issue. If the tenant doesn’t take action, the landlord can pursue eviction (Kan. Stat. § 58-2564).
Self-help evictions: Always follow the state’s legal eviction process. Landlords can’t remove the tenant’s property, shut off their utilities, or change the locks to force them out (Kan. Stat. § 58-2562).
Terminating a Room Rental Agreement in Kansas
Month-to-month: Either party can terminate the lease by providing written notice. State law doesn’t set a specific notice period, but 30 days is standard (Kan. Stat. § 58-2546).
Fixed-term: To end a fixed-term lease early without penalty, both parties must agree, or the terminating party must have a legal reason to end the arrangement (Kan. Stat. § 58-2545).
Room abandonment: If a tenant abandons their room, landlords may terminate the lease, re-rent the room, and deduct any unpaid balance from the tenant’s security deposit (Kan. Stat. § 58-2550).
Tenant’s right to terminate: Tenants can end a room rental agreement in Kansas without penalty in certain situations, including:
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking (Kan. Stat. § 58-25,137).
- Health and safety violations (Kan. Stat. § 58-2559).
- Military service (Kan. Stat. § 58-2570).
Landlord Access Laws
Immediate access: Landlords may enter a tenant’s room without prior notice only in emergencies where they must protect life or health, prevent property damage, or comply with a legal order (Kan. Stat. § 58-2557).
Landlord harassment: You can’t abuse your right of access or use it to harass tenants (Kan. Stat. § 58-2557).
Advance notice: State law doesn’t set a specific notice period, but 24 hours is standard.
Lease Agreement Renewal and Termination
Required renewals: Kansas law doesn’t require landlords or tenants to renew their leases. Either party may decline to renew when the room rental agreement ends (Kan. Stat. § 58-2545).
Required notice: Landlords and tenants must provide written notice to the other party to terminate a month-to-month agreement (Kan. Stat. § 58-2546).
Month-to-month considerations: Remember, month-to-month lease agreements renew each period until either party gives proper notice to terminate them (Kan. Stat. § 58-2546).
Instead of stressing over your landlord to-do list, use property management software that streamlines your entire workflow.
