Rental or Lease Agreement Forms



Important Things Every Rental Agreement Needs

Having the proper rental or lease agreement form can make all the difference for a successful landlord and tenant relationship. When you have the important terms covered in a written rental agreement, you can greatly reduce the chances of a dispute and future litigation. It's unwise to rely on a verbal agreement, even if you rent to someone you know personally. Having a written lease agreement makes it much easier for both parties to have a clear understanding of the terms agreed to. Even when the terms are clearly understood at the time of making an oral contract for rental agreement, memory can fade over time. Moreover, if it's longer than a month to month rental agreement, it's usually required by state law to be in writing to be enforceable.


Sometimes a landlord will use a basic rental agreement not specifically designed for the law in his or her state. The leasing contract can create problems if it doesn't comply with state law. Allowable terms in a rental lease agreement, such as repairs, utilities, and security deposit terms, will vary by state law. The following guidelines are the basic points to remember when choosing a sample of rental lease agreement:

  • The rental agreement template should be designed according to state law and be kept current with the latest legislative changes, according to regular updates.

  • The rental leasing agreement form should include terms for how the lease may be terminated. If early termination provisions aren't included in a written sample rental agreement, state requirements for termination will apply. By using written rental or lease agreement forms, the termination terms will override state law. State law typically requires 30 day notice and only allows termination based on specified breaches, such as nonpayment of rent or uninhabitable premises.

  • Landlords often make the mistake of not using a written lease to rent a room. However, it's vital, even if the rent a room lease is intended for a brief period or month to month. Without a written housing lease, you may be required to let the tenant stay an extra month to comply with state notice of termination laws. A rental agreement for a house or residential rental housing should cover in detail how and when rent is to be paid, late charges, and any rights regarding any associated fees and security deposits.

Our state-specific, professionally drafted rental agreements cover many other terms than the examples above. It's not difficult to fill out a rental agreement form and only takes a few minutes. The lease and rental process will go much smoother by taking the proper steps to minimize difficulties in the property management of your rental property.