It is possible to draft your own lease agreement, but you are leaving yourself open to issues.
Handwritten contracts are legally binding if they meet the necessary conditions that apply to all contracts: mutual agreement, capacity, consideration, and legal validity. There are no legal differences between typed and handwritten agreements when it comes to enforceability.
When creating a one-page lease agreement, include sections covering the following: Involved parties. Property details. Lease terms, such as length, type, monthly rent, deposit. Conditions of property use. Details about utilities. Included furnishings. Repair and damages policy. Termination conditions.
A verbal agreement is also considered a valid contract and, while much harder to enforce, can constitute a lease agreement. If you're comfortable writing your own lease agreement, you can sit down at your computer and type out everything you want your tenant to agree to. You can even hand-write it if you want.
written rental agreement is absolutely valid and enforceable. It doesn't need to be notarized, but must be signed by both parties to the lease. Essential terms must be present in the writing, however.
State laws on leases and rental agreements can vary, but a landlord or property management company should provide you with a copy of your signed lease upon request. You should make your request in writing, so you have proof if there is a dispute later.
If you're looking for a rent-to-own option, it's best to contact a landlord directly and ask if the arrangement is possible. Also, if real estate sales are sluggish in your area, it might be worth contacting a local real estate agent and asking if they know of any landlords who haven't been able to sell.
Lease-to-own agreement is a good idea when: Tenants want to lock in a property at current market prices, potentially gaining equity as property values increase over time.
It is possible to draft your own lease agreement, but you are leaving yourself open to issues.