Sample Lease Contract

Collect each party's information. Include specifics about your property. Consider all of the property's utilities and services. Know the terms of your lease. Set the monthly rent amount and due date. Calculate any additional fees. Determine a payment method. Consider your rights and obligations.

The Lease Must be in Writing It does not matter if the lease is handwritten or typed. If the lease is for more than one year, it must be in written form and contain the following terms.

The lease becomes legally binding when all parties have signed: the landlord and all tenants living in the unit who are 18 and older. If you're worried about situations where a lease needs to end early, learn about breaking a lease and grounds for eviction.

A lease serves as a binding, legal agreement between the property owner and the tenant. As such, it is very important to make sure it thoroughly addresses the rules, policies, and conflict resolution procedures for living in the rental property, and clearly defines tenant and landlord responsibilities.

A written agreement can act as a roadmap for the landlord-tenant relationship, especially if a dispute arises. Also, real estate (land) leases for more than one year must be in writing. If a lease for over one year is not in writing, it will generally not be enforceable in court.

Why is having a lease so important? Very simply, it states the agreements between the owner and the tenant that must take place during the term of the lease.Some landlords may feel that they save time by not reviewing a lease with tenants before they move in.

Names of All Tenants and Occupants. Description of Rental Property. Term of the Tenancy. Rental Price. Security Deposits and Fees. Repair and Maintenance Policies. Landlord's Right to Enter Rental Property. Rules and Important Policies.

The Lease Must be in Writing It does not matter if the lease is handwritten or typed.

Names of all tenants. Limits on occupancy. Term of the tenancy. Rent. Deposits and fees. Repairs and maintenance. Entry to rental property. Restrictions on tenant illegal activity.