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» Rental Lease Agreement Templates | Residential & Commercial

Rental Lease Agreement Templates | Residential & Commercial

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A rental agreement or lease is a legal document that outlines an arrangement between an owner of real estate, known as the “landlord” or “lessor”, and someone else that is willing to pay rent while occupying the property, known as the “tenant” or “lessee”.

By State

Table of Contents

By Type (12)

One (1) Page Lease Agreement – For residential use as a simple agreement between a landlord and tenant. For a fixed term such as 12 months.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Commercial Lease Agreements – For the use of any type of retail, office, or industrial space.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

 

Condominium (Condo) Rental Agreement – Residential unit that is owned by an individual in a complex with other individually owned residences.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Hunting Lease Agreement – For individuals that would like to hunt on someone else’s private land.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

 

Lease-Purchase (Lease to Own) Agreement – Agreement that structures rental payments in combination with payments to own the property.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Month to Month Lease Agreement – Also known as a “tenancy-at-will” it allows the tenant and landlord to have a binding arrangement that may be altered with thirty (30) days’ notice.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Parking Space Rental Agreement – Make a contract to park an automobile, recreational vehicle (RV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or motorcycle.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Roommate (Room Rental) Agreement – For a roommate seeking others to join in paying rent in a residential unit together. This may be completed by a new roommate or as a collective group.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Standard Residential Lease Agreement – Typically for a one (1) year period but can be for any fixed period.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

 

Sublease (Sublet) Agreement – The renting of space a tenant has to someone else.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

 

Vacation (Short-Term) Rental Agreement – For a term that usually ranges only for a few days between an owner of a home, apartment, condominium, or any other type of residence.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

Weekly Rental Agreement – A tenant who resides in residential space with rent being paid every seven (7) days.

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

 

 

 

The Leasing Process

From start to finish, follow this simple guide to properly lease residential property.

Step 1 – The Tenant Views the Space

Before a lease agreement is drawn up, the tenant will usually view the space and deem it acceptable to their living standards and make a verbal offer to the real estate agent, manager, or landlord. The verbal offer will usually be in reference to a monthly rental amount.

Step 2 – Rental Application

If the offer is conditionally accepted, the landlord will move ahead and ask for the tenant to fill-in a Rental Application and pay a small fee (commonly used to only cover the cost of showing the property and run a background check).

Step 3 – Run a Tenant Background Check

The landlord is highly recommended to run a background of the tenant’s credit, background, and criminal history. Use the following resources to conduct your search:

Step 4 – Verify References

The landlord should contact past employers, past landlords, and any non-family references provided in the application. This will give the landlord an idea of the character of the individual(s) and if they are going to be quiet or noisy neighbors.

Step 5 – Writing the Lease

If the tenant(s) meet the landlord’s qualifications a lease should be drafted (Specific Instructions to Fill-in our Residential Lease). The landlord and tenant should meet to discuss the specific terms and conditions of the lease, mainly consisting of the:

  • Fee(s) – In reference to parking, pets, trash, etc.
  • Monthly Rent Amount ($)
  • Move-in Date – The day the tenant will take occupancy of the space.
  • Security Deposit – This is determined by the landlord but cannot be more than the Maximum Set by Your State.
  • Term – Month-to-month, yearly, etc.
  • Utilities – Electricity, water/sewer, heating, etc.

Step 6 – Executing the Lease

The lease is not required to be witnessed (although it is always recommended to have at least one). At the time of authorization the landlord and tenant should exchange the following:

  • The Landlord

Access (keys) to the premises and all common areas (unless the occupancy does not occur until a later time)

  • The Tenant

Security deposit (if required), 1st month’s rent, and any pro-rated rent (if the tenant is moving-in before the lease start date).

Step 7 – Taking Occupancy

Upon move-in, the tenant should perform a walk-thru of the property and list any repairs needed. This is to ensure that the landlord does not bill the tenant for pre-existing damages. The tenant should have the landlord acknowledge any needed repairs by signing this form.

Move-in Checklist (Inspection) – Required in Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Without this checklist completed, the tenant will have no evidence to support that any damage present at the end of the term was not the fault of the tenant.

Lease Topics (Glossary)

From A to Z, use the glossary to know specific terms of a lease agreement.

Glossary: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)

Security Deposit Laws

A security deposit is funds deposited by a tenant to a landlord to guarantee the fulfillment of a lease. In the chance the tenant does not pay rent or causes damage on the premises, the landlord may be able to keep the deposit.

Most States have a maximum ($) amount and have a returning limit on when the landlord is required to give back the security deposit after the lease has ended.

Landlord’s Access

Landlord’s access is determined by the State it’s located. Landlord’s access is the act of the landlord entering the tenant’s property for any type of repair, inspection, or non-emergency purpose. In most States, the landlord is required to provide notice. Notice is commonly made by making a note on the tenant’s door prior 24-48 hours prior to entering the premises.

Disclosures and Addendums

Most States have required disclosures that the landlord must give to the tenant.

For Example: Florida requires all landlords to offer the tenant to fill-in a Move-in Inspection Checklist to reduce landlord-tenant disputes.

Common Disclosures, Notices, and Addendums

Late Rent Violation

If there is late payment by the tenant the landlord has a couple of options. First, the landlord may accept a late fee for the delay in payment. Second, and depending on the State law, the landlord may give a Notice to Pay or Quit stating the landlord has the right to terminate the lease if the tenant does not pay by a specific date.

Other Violations

If there is a violation committed by the tenant that is unrelated to late payment then the landlord may give the tenant Notice to Comply or Quit. This gives the tenant a certain amount of time to handle the issue or face eviction action.

Types

Landlord-Tenant Laws

The landlord-tenant laws below represent the State rules and procedures regarding housing disputes.

  • Landlord-Tenant Laws (50-State Table): Adobe PDF

Sample Residential Lease

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument

How to Write (Fill-in) a Residential Lease

Use the instructions on how to write a residential lease agreement. A lease is not filed by any government body and is kept by the landlord and tenant. No witnesses are needed to sign and therefore it’s recommended to be e-signed.

How to Write (Instructions): Adobe PDF


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