Updated June 17, 2022
The Florida association of realtors lease agreements have produced 2 types of agreements, one for single-family homes and one for multi-family properties, for landlords and tenants to enter into a rental contract. The agreements have been approved by the Association of Realtors and may be used by landlords seeking to protect themselves when agreeing to a rental arrangement with a tenant.
Rental Application – All landlords are advised to verify the identity, employment, and background of their tenants. There is no maximum fee a landlord may charge to run this verification.
2-Types
Single-Family Realtor Lease
Download: Adobe PDF
Multi-Family Realtor Lease (apartment)
Download: Adobe PDF
How to Write
Step 1 – Read and follow the instructions at the top of the page.
Step 2 – If a licensee or translator is involved with this lease, the first page disclosure must be completed. That is, anyone who is not an attorney but is aiding in any aspect of communication or inputting information must provide such disclosure information in this state. First, enter the name of the individual aiding with this lease. This same name must be filled in wherever it says “Name” in the first paragraph.
Step 3 – The tenant will need to verify their English speaking status under where it says “Tenant.” This must be signed. If the tenant does not require a translator, check the line next to “I can read English and leave the rest blank. If the tenant cannot read English and needed this document translated, check the second line and enter the name of the translator as well as the language the tenant requires the lease to be translated in.
Step 4 – The landlord will also need to provide similar verification. This will be done under the word “Landlord.” If the landlord can read English, check the first line under the word landlord and do not fill in the rest of that section. If the landlord does not read English and required a translator to read the document, check the second line (next to “I cannot read English but this notice was to me by”). Then enter the name of the individual reading the lease document and the language the tenant required it to be read in.
Step 5 – At the bottom of the first page, the Licensee, Landlord, and Tenant will need to sign their names.
Step 6 – The next few pages will require information concerning the lease, the parties involved, and the agreement being entered. Every negotiable item that needs information will require a box to be check marked and/or a space to be filled out with applicable information. The first item, “Parties,” will require the name of the landlord then the name of the tenant. Each party must provide his or her full name for this section.
Step 7 – The second item, “Property Rented,” requires the street address of the property being rented. This must include the state and zip code. If there are any amenities (furniture/appliances) enter them in the space provided below this section.
Step 8 – Next the amount of time the lease will be in effect must be defined. This shall be in the third item, marked “Term.” First, enter the month, day, and year the lease will start. Ten enter the month, day, and year the lease will naturally terminate.
Step 9 – The item labeled “Rent, Payments, Taxes, and Charges” will define the amount of money the tenant must pay to enter the lease and remain in good standing. First enter the total amount of money that will have been paid by the tenant, to the landlord, by the end of the lease. The rent may be paid in monthly installments, weekly installments, or in full.
- If the rent will be paid in installments, check the first box. Then select whether this will be in monthly or weekly installments. For either of these choices, the due day for the rent must be defined. If monthly installments are selected, enter the calendar day the rent will be due. If the rent is in weekly installments, enter the day of the week it will be due. Then enter the installment amount.
- If the full lease term amount must be paid at once, enter the date it must be paid and the amount that will be due.
Step 10 – The area to define payments will be labeled “Payment Summary.” If the rent is to be paid in installments check the first box and enter the total amount to be paid per installment, including taxes. If the rent is to be paid in full, check the second box then enter the payment amount, including taxes that must be received. Both the landlord and tenant must provide their initials as verification, they have received a copy of this page.
Step 11 – The next area will further define and summarize the criteria for rent payment compliance. Next to “All rent payments shall be payable to” enter the name of who must receive the rent, then include the address where the rent must be delivered to.
Step 12 – If the rent is being prorated due to a mid-month move-in date, enter the starting proration date and the ending proration date. Then enter the payment amount which will be due and its due date.
Step 13 – Next check the method of a rent payment that is desired. The choices will be “cash,” “personal check,” “money order,” or “cashier’s check.” If another payment method is preferred check “other” and specify the method in the space provided.
Step 14 – The next area will define penalties for a bounced check. If the landlord wishes to change the payment method as a result of a “worthless check,” check the box next to the words “to pay all future payments by” then check the appropriate method (money order, cashier’s check, official bank check, or cash”). If a different method is required as a result of a bounced check, then check “other” and specify the payment. Additionally, if a penalty fee is to be assessed, check the box next to “to pay bad check fees” and fill in the amount. Note: this must be in compliance with Florida Statutes Section 68.065”).
Step 15 – The item labeled “Money Due Prior to Occupancy” will require the full amount necessary for the tenant to enter the lease and move in. The next available space in this section will require the name of the landlord accepting payment then the address where the payment should be made.
Step 16 – This next area will require a checkmark. If the rent is to be paid monthly, check the first box and fill in the amount due for the first month’s rent. Next to this fill in the due date for this amount. If the lease calls for weekly payments then check the second box on this line, enter the weekly amount due for the first week’s rent, then enter the date it is due.
Step 17 – The next line is strictly for situations where a prorated rent amount is necessary. Here too, there will be a categorization between monthly and weekly payments. If the prorated amount is for a lease calling for monthly rent payments then check the first box (next to the word “month”) then fill out the amount due and the due date in the appropriate area. If the rent is to be paid in weekly installments then check the second box and specify the week it will apply to in the space provided. Next to this space, enter the dollar amount due then the calendar day it will be due.
Step 18 – The next line will deal with the last month or week’s rent. There will be two choices here as well, if the lease calls for monthly payments then check the first box. If the lease calls for weekly payments then check the second box. In either case, the next step will be to fill in the amount due and the date it must be received in the appropriate spaces on that line.
Step 19 – Next, will be a few lines dealing with security deposits. In the spaces next to “Security Deposit” enter the dollar amount for the required security deposit then enter the day it is due. If there is an additional security deposit, fill in the applicable information below next to the words “Additional Security Deposit.” Below this will be a line to specify the amount and due date for if a homeowner’s association security deposit is required (next to the words “Security Deposit for Homeowners Association”). Finally, there will two additional lines for “Other.” This may be used to denote additional securities not mentioned previously.
Step 20 – The next section, “Late Fees,” deals with the unfortunate circumstance of a late rent payment. First, the penalty amount must be defined then the time period for its application must be defined. Enter the number of days a tenant has before being assessed a late charge.
Step 21 – In the “Notices” section, enter the name of the agent who may receive notices from the tenant regarding the lease and occupancies. If there is no agent leave this blank. Below this will be an area to list the landlord and agent’s name and address.
Step 22 – Both the landlord and tenant must initial the bottom of this page in acknowledgment of receipt.
Step 23 – Item 10, or “Maintenance,” will give the signature parties the opportunity to note which of them will be responsible for upkeep. For each item, write in the word “Tenant” if the tenant is responsible or the word “Landlord” if the landlord is responsible. The landlord will automatically be held responsible for an item if it is left blank. There shall be a line for “Other” if any maintenance concerns have not been named. Below this will be a space to list the name, address, and phone number if any maintenance concerns need to be addressed.
Step 24 – The next Item will either give permission to sub-let the rental with the landlord’s permission or not. In the “Assignment” section, if the tenant may sub-let at his or her discretion then check the first box. If the tenant would need the landlord’s approval, via written consent, to sublet while being in compliance with this list then check the second box.
Step 25 – In the “Keys and Locks” section, note the number of keys to the dwelling, mailbox, and any garages present where appropriate. Then list the number of keys to the common property under the control of the relevant homeowner’s association. There will be a space for the number of keys, remote controls, and electronic cards being dispensed and a space beside each to document each area/facility. If there is another access tool not defined, report the item and the area on the line with the words “other (specify) to.” Finally, list the name and address where all access tools will be returned.
Step 26 – An important item in this lease will regard lead paint. If the rental property was built or was in construction before 1978, check the box provided.
Step 27 – The landlord and tenant are required to initial the bottom of this page to acknowledge receipt.
Step 28 – The lead paint disclosure shall continue to the top of this page (page 5). In the section marked “(a),” if the lessor is aware there is lead paint or any paint hazards mark the statement labeled “(i)” and explain in the space below. If not then mark the statement labeled “(ii).” Enter your answer to this question next to “(a).”
Step 29 – Indicate if property records regarding lead paint are available to the property owner in the statement labeled “(b).” This will be done as a similar manner as in step 27. Select “(i)” If the landlord has access to such records or “(ii)” if not.
Step 30 – The next areas of the lead paint disclosure will require a lessee’s signature to verify the receipt of the information from the previous area and the pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.” The Agent will also have to initial that he or she has fully informed the landlord of their responsibility to comply with 42 U.S.C. 4852d.
Step 31 – The next area will require a signature and signature date to verify all required information has been divulged, received, and is accurate. There will be a space for the lessor, lessee, and agent to provide this under “Certification of Accuracy.”
Step 32 – Item 14 should be checked if the tenant may have to move as a result of military or civil service.
Step 33 – At times the relevant Home Owner’s Association may have to approve a tenant. In the item labeled “Home Owner’s Association,” report whether the application fee is to be paid by landlord or tenant if it is refundable or non-refundable, and which entity will be required to pay the security deposit required by the association.
Step 34 – The landlord and tenant will need to initial the bottom of this page to acknowledge its receipt.
Step 35 – Read the next several items carefully as they will contain necessary conditions and disclosures. Both the landlord and tenant must initial the bottom of this page as well.
Step 36 – If a broker is involved, then fill out item 27 (“Broker’s Commission”) if not, skip this section. If a broker is involved check the first box then indicate whether a landlord or tenant is required to pay the broker. Below this, the Real Estate Licensee, Real Estate Brokerage Company, and Commission must all be reported in the appropriate areas.
Step 37 – The next section “Execution” is where the binding effect shall take place. The Landlord and tenant must sign and date their signature in the space provided.
Step 38 – If any individual or business has aided them in the completion of this contract, it should be reported below this. There will be a space for a signature and a printed name, business name, address, and telephone number below.