Posted by Valerie Hill on 3/15/10 4:41pm
Msg #327402

Notarizing Rental Contracts

I am a Property Manager in the State of Washington. Recently we were informed that if we are notarizing a lease that is more than 365 days, that we are actually notarizing the Manager's signature, not the lessors. As I am the Manager and the notarizing party, this does not make sense to me. I tried to find some laws that support this but the RCW's only state that a lease more than one year have the proper witness and seals.
Does anyone have any written info on this matter? Thank you!

Reply by Teresa/FL on 3/15/10 5:20pm
Msg #327411

Consult a real estate attorney in your area n/m

Reply by Roger_OH on 3/15/10 5:33pm
Msg #327412

Remember we notarize signatures, not documents.

I'm assuming too that you mean you're notarizing another manager's signature, not your own.

Reply by Valerie Hill on 3/15/10 8:29pm
Msg #327444

No, I am not. As the Property Manager, I am required to sign all leases. I was notarizing the resident's signature and explaining the 365 day requirement to them. Now one of the law firms that we use is saying that the notary is for the "Property Manager's" signature and not for the residents. So if that is the case, I can no longer sign and notarize my own leases. But I beleive they have misconstrued the verbiage on the landlord tenant laws. ???

Reply by John Schenk on 3/15/10 8:44pm
Msg #327447

Valerie, I'd be on the phone with them tomorrow to find out what the deal is. Whatever you've been notarizing should be clear as to the sigs you've been notarizing. I never notarize any document that I am also signor on anyway. You probably have a financial interest in it in the event that any occupancy bonuses are tied to the number of leases you sign, and are evidently notarizing. Could be a couple of issues present here that might pose a problem.

Looks like for future Rental Contracts you could get an answer with a simple phone call to the attorney.

Best of luck!

JJ

Reply by Tess on 3/16/10 4:19pm
Msg #327561

If you are signing the lease also, I would not notarize it yourself. I would recommend a separate form that they sign and you notarize, stating that they agree to abide by the governing rules stated on the lease.