Updated February 25, 2023
A lease addendum is a separate legal document that allows a landlord to add additional information or make changes to a lease agreement. Instead of re-writing the contents of a lease, an addendum is a document that includes added language. After both parties sign, the addendum should be added to the original lease.
“Disclosure” – Also referred to as a “disclosure,” and is attached to a lease that generally includes important information about the property.
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What is a Lease Addendum?
A lease addendum, or an “addendum to a lease,” is a document that expands upon and gives more information related to a section or clause in a lease agreement. For example, there may be a section in a lease about specific rules regarding “pets” and reference an attached “pet addendum” that lists the set of rules.
With some addendums, such as the lead-based paint addendum, the tenant cannot enter the property until it has been signed and, therefore should be required before giving access.
By Type (12)
How to Add an Addendum (3 Steps)
1. Speak with the Tenant
Speak to the tenant and fully explain how the addendum affects the lease. Most often, an addendum will be a type of disclosure that explains the property rules. For example, if pets are allowed, a list of the sizes of pets and the types may be listed in the addendum.
2. Tenant Reviews the Addendum
The tenant should be given an ample amount of time to review the document. After reading, if the tenant agrees with its contents and has no question they should be given instructions to sign.
3. Sign and Attach
After signing, the addendum will be attached to the lease and be made part of it. Any violation of the terms of the addendum will effectively be a violation of the lease.
Refusing to Sign
If a tenant refuses to sign a lease addendum then the lease agreement will be held to its original terms. For example, if a tenant does not sign a pet addendum, the tenant will not be able to have pets on the property.
Breaking an Addendum
The rules of an addendum should be respected in the same manner as of a lease. If a tenant or landlord becomes in default to an addendum it can be a breakable offense. Meaning that a tenant can be evicted from their dwelling if they don’t abide by the addendum. Likewise, a tenant can part ways with their lease and not be subject to fees or rent payments if their landlord fails to uphold an addendum.
How to Write
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), or OpenDocument (.odt).
(1) Addendum Date. The information presented here as an update to a lease must be accompanied by a formal date. Preset this date where it is requested.
(2) Landlord Name. The full name of the Landlord named in the lease being discussed should be dispensed as it appears in the original lease.
(3) Address Of Landlord. Document the official mailing address where the Landlord can be contacted regarding this addendum.
(4) Tenant Name. Every Tenant named in the original lease must be documented for this paperwork to function correctly. Keep in mind there is a difference between an Occupant and a Tenant. For instance, a child listed as an Occupant does not need to be listed here but every Signature Tenant responsible for upholding the original lease conditions and terms must be presented.
(5) Address Of Tenant. Produce the current mailing address of the Tenant.
(6) Lease Date. Locate the official date of the original lease then transcribe it to the contents of this statement. If the original lease does not have a formal document date, then you may use its date of effect.
(7) Address Of Leased Property. Furnish the leased property’s physical address. This must define the location where the premises can be visited and entered.
(8) Amended Conditions. Space has been set aside for a record of the conditions and terms this document must insert into the original lease. Document each such provision to this area making sure to cite any articles in the original lease that will be directly effected.
(9) Landlord Signature And Printed Name. The Landlord approving this addendum must sign his or her name then print it.
(10) Landlord Signature Date. As soon as the Landlord signs this document he or she should record the current calendar date.
(11) Tenant Signature And Printed Name. Every Signature Tenant on the original lease must sign his or her name to accept the lease amendments made through this document then continue to print his or her name.
(12) Tenant Date Of Signature. The calendar date marking the day the Tenant signed this document must be provided as soon as he or she signs it.