Our lease, explained

406 Deacon Dr. W, College Station. Tap any colored part of the lease to see what it means in plain words.

What we pay$1,900 rent a month, plus electric, trash and water. Late after the 10th = $190 fee.
DamageComes out of the $1,900 deposit first. We only pay for real damage, never normal wear and tear.
David (guarantor)He signed, so he is the backup payer if Coulson doesn't pay rent, fees, utilities or damage over the deposit.

Residential Lease Agreement

This lease agreement is made and entered into this 10th day of June, 2026, by and between Ryan Shahan hereinafter referred to as "Landlord" and Coulson Plouff, hereinafter referred to as "Tenant". This is a 11 month lease beginning on August 1st, 2026 and will become effective after receipt of the Tenant's Deposit. This Lease Agreement shall terminate on June 30th, 2027 and the tenants must vacate the premises by that date. Tenant agrees to lease from Landlord for use solely as a private residence, the premises located at 406 Deacon Dr. W, College Station, TX 77845.

1. Tenant shall pay as rent the sum of $1,900 per month, due on August 1st, 2026 and payable on the first day of every month thereafter. A late charge of 10% will be applied if received after the 10th of the month. Payment shall be paid directly to Landlord via ACH bank transfer or via Venmo @Ryan-Shahan-1. If the rent and utilities payment are not received within 30 days past the due date, eviction proceedings will begin.

2. Tenant understands that rent, in the sum of $1,900 per month, excludes: electricity, trash & water. Utilities are currently in the name of the Landlord and will be billed to the Tenant no later than the 5th of every month, for the preceding month's service. As such, the first payment for utilities will be due on September 5th, 2026 and the last payment for utilities will be due on July 5th, 2027. Tenant also understands that rent is subject to change upon the renewal of this contract each year.

3. Tenant is aware that a deposit, in the sum of $1,900, is due upon the signing of this contract. This deposit will be returned to the Tenant at the end of the lease agreement date after inspecting the property for any damage done that is in need of repair. If any repairs are needed, repair fees will be deducted from the deposit. If rooms are not left in "move-in clean" condition, including shampooing of carpet, a cleaning service will be hired by the Landlord and fees will be deducted from the deposit before reimbursing Tenant.

4. Tenant must also supply the name and contact information for a secondary guarantor that will also be required to sign the lease.

5. Tenant acknowledges and will comply with the no pet policy unless written consent is given by Landlord.

6. Tenant agrees to accept the property in its current condition and to return it in "move-in clean" condition upon vacating the premises. Maintenance of the flowerbed, yard, and fence is the responsibility of the Barracks POA. Tenant will comply with the maintenance schedule supplied by the POA. Tenant may place a combo lock on the rear fence gate but must leave it unlocked in order to comply with the maintenance schedule. The combination must also be supplied to the Landlord.

7. Tenant agrees not to assign this Lease, nor sublet any portion of the property, to any other persons to live therein unless the names and personal information of those individuals are provided to and approved by the Landlord as an addendum to this lease.

8. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord's insurance does not cover personal property damage caused by fire, theft, rain, war, acts of God, acts of others, and/or any other causes, nor shall Landlord be held liable for such losses.

9. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord's insurance does not cover any personal injury of any kind incurred by Tenant, guests, visitors, or family members while residing on property or personal injuries that might incur while utilizing the BearX facilities nor is Landlord liable for any such injuries.

10. Tenants obligations are as follows:

A. Take affirmative action to insure that nothing is done which might place Landlord in violation of applicable building, housing, zoning, and health regulations.

B. Keep the dwelling and yard clean and sanitary, removing garbage and trash as it accumulates and maintaining all plumbing fixtures in good working order.

C. Operate all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other appliances in a reasonable, safe manner.

D. Conduct themselves, and will ensure their family, friends, guests, visitors conduct themselves in a manner which will not disturb others.

E. Ensure that visitors, guests, family do not inhibit other tenants from their parking spaces.

F. Abide by the rules and restrictions provided by the Barracks HOA and the BearX facilities.

G. Take necessary means and immediate action to keep illegal drugs of any kind off of Landlord's property at ALL times. Illegal drugs brought on property by tenant or tenant's visitor, guests, family is subject to the eviction of tenant without prior notice.

11. The Landlord agrees to repair or replace any appliance or facility that is operating inadequately from normal wear and tear. The Landlord shall make sure any repairs or replacements are taken care of within a reasonable time. Appliances and fixtures in the home, at the time of move in, will be the responsibility of the Landlord and include the following: refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer. Damage to these appliances deemed not from normal wear and tear may be subject to repair/replacement by the Tenant.

Signed by Landlord, Tenant, and Secondary Guarantor: David Plouff

Wear and tear vs. damage

We do NOT pay
  • Small scuffs and nail holes
  • Faded paint
  • Carpet worn from walking
  • Appliances that die of old age
  • Storms or fire that aren't our fault
We DO pay
  • Big holes, broken doors or windows
  • Stains, burns or pet damage on carpet
  • Appliances broken by misuse
  • Cleaning if we leave it dirty
  • Anything our guests break

How we protect our deposit

  1. Take photos and video of every room at move-in and move-out.
  2. Clean and shampoo the carpet before we leave.
  3. Give the landlord a forwarding address in writing.
  4. Ask for receipts for any repair charge.
  5. Push back on any charge that is normal wear and tear.

Exactly what David is liable for

David is Coulson's backup. He only pays if Coulson doesn't.

David can be asked to pay
  • Unpaid rent ($1,900 a month)
  • Late fees ($190 each time)
  • Unpaid utility bills
  • Damage over the $1,900 deposit (by Coulson, a roommate, or a guest)
David does NOT owe
  • Anything Coulson already paid
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Break-ins by strangers
  • Injuries or lost belongings
  • Anything after June 30, 2027
  • Probably not lawyer fees

If Coulson pays everything and leaves the house clean, David owes $0. David backs Coulson with the landlord. He is not a backup for the roommates.

What the roommates are liable for

Roommates are not on the lease. They owe Coulson, not the landlord.

Roommates owe Coulson
  • Their share of rent and utilities
  • Damage they cause
  • Probably damage by their own guests
  • Late fees their late payment caused
Good to know
  • The landlord can't make a roommate pay rent
  • But anyone who damages the house can be sued for it
  • Your deal with Coulson doesn't need to be signed. A text or a spoken agreement still counts, because the lease is shorter than 1 year.
  • Unpaid shares can go to small claims court (up to $20,000)

The chain: landlord collects from Coulson, then David. Coulson and David collect from the roommates.

General information about Texas law, not legal advice.