Idaho Room Rental Agreement

Legal Aspects 

This legally binding document is drafted under-recognized legislation such as the Landlord And Tenant Manual. Common sections in an Idaho room rental agreement include: 

Room Access

• Landlord’s entry rights: In Idaho, the landlord can enter a rented room without permission for emergencies related to health and safety. 

• Consented entry: With the tenant’s permission, the landlord can access the room for repairs or inspection.
• Notice of entry: Idaho rental laws require reasonable notice before entry. At a minimum, 24 hours provides time for the tenant to prepare. 

• Showing an occupied unit: The lease must permit showings of occupied units. Otherwise, the landlord and tenant must agree on a policy that balances landlord needs and tenant privacy.

• Frequency of routine inspections: Idaho law doesn’t limit inspection frequency, but landlords can’t harass tenants with unreasonable entries.

• Tenant refusal of entry: Tenants can refuse improper entries, like a late-night request, without reason. If the landlord enters improperly, the tenant can take legal action, like getting a court order, recovering costs/damages, or ending the lease.

Guest & Pets Policy

• Landlords’ right to restrict guests: Idaho landlords can prohibit guests or set guest policies if it’s in the written lease agreement. They can only allow guests to stay up to two (2) weeks with approval. Tenants are responsible for any issues caused by guests, protecting landlords.
• Tenant right to have guests: Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of their rental, including having guests for reasonable periods. State laws provide parameters around specific guest rights.

• Pet policies set by landlord: Idaho landlords decide if pets and restrictions like type, size, and number are allowed. Common requirements are pet deposits and pet rent. Tenants must follow rules on licensing, waste cleanup, etc.

Security Deposit Regulations

• Amount limits: Idaho doesn’t limit security deposit amounts landlords can charge.

• Deposit definition:  Any non-rent money deposited with an Idaho landlord is considered a security deposit.

• Returning deposits: Within 21 days of the lease end (or 30 if agreed in the lease), Idaho landlords must either return the full deposit or provide an itemized deduction list. 

• Deduction rules: Idaho landlords can deduct deposit funds for lease-authorized reasons, property damages beyond normal wear and tear, and if the tenant didn’t give proper move-out notice.

• Tenant remedies: If landlords don’t provide the itemized deduction list within 21 days of a written request, tenants can sue for up to three (3) times the deposit amount.

• Unnecessary repairs prohibited: The Idaho Consumer Protection Act prohibits landlords from deducting for unnecessary or imaginary repairs. Violations carry fines of up to $5,000.

• Non-return penalties: If landlords wrongfully fail to return deposits in Idaho, tenants can recover up to three (3) times the amount in court.

• Written accounting required: Idaho landlords must provide a written account of any deposit funds retained within 21 days of the lease end. 

• Notice to vacate: Failure to provide proper move-out notice can allow the landlord to keep the security deposit. Typically, 30 days notice is required.