As a renter, having a residential lease agreement in place can protect both you and your landlord. The lease agreement outlines important terms and conditions such as the rental rate, lease term, security deposit, and rules for living in the rental property. Here is an example of a residential lease agreement that you can use as a guide when creating your own agreement.
PARTIES TO THE LEASE
This residential lease agreement is between [Landlord Name] (“Landlord”) and [Tenant Name] (“Tenant”).
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
The Landlord agrees to rent the property located at [Address] (the “Property”) to the Tenant for residential purposes only.
LEASE TERM
The lease term will start on [Start Date] and will end on [End Date]. The Tenant agrees to vacate the Property at the end of the lease term.
RENTAL RATE
The Tenant agrees to pay rent in the amount of [Rental Rate] per month, payable in advance on the [Due Date] of each month. If the rent is not paid by the due date, the Tenant will be charged a late fee of [Late Fee].
UTILITIES
The Tenant is responsible for paying all utilities associated with the Property, including but not limited to electricity, gas, water, and internet.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
The Tenant agrees to pay a security deposit in the amount of [Security Deposit] to the Landlord. The security deposit will be refunded to the Tenant at the end of the lease term, provided that the Tenant has complied with all terms and conditions of the lease.
PETS
The Tenant agrees to pay a non-refundable pet fee of [Pet Fee] if they wish to have a pet in the Property. The Tenant agrees to be responsible for any damages caused by their pet.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
The Tenant agrees to keep the Property in a clean and orderly condition at all times. The Tenant agrees to promptly report any damage or needed repairs to the Landlord. The Landlord agrees to make necessary repairs within a reasonable amount of time.
TERMINATION OF LEASE
Either party may terminate this lease agreement by giving [Termination Notice] days` written notice to the other party.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This residential lease agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings, and agreements between the parties.
CONCLUSION
Having a residential lease agreement in place can give you peace of mind as a renter. By outlining important terms and conditions, you and your landlord can avoid misunderstandings and disputes. Use the above example as a starting point when creating your own residential lease agreement.