A lease amendment modifies the terms of an existing residential or commercial lease agreement. The amendment will detail the specific clause or language that is changed and the rest of the agreement will remain legally binding. Both the landlord and tenant are required to sign an amendment for it to become part of the lease agreement. If not, the original lease will remain in place with no changes made.
Common Amendments
- Lease Extension
- Increasing/Decreasing Rent
- Subletting
- Add or Remove a Tenant
- Deferred Rent
How to Amend a Lease (3 steps)
Step 1 – Get the Original Lease
Find the original lease that was signed between the landlord and tenant. Give the lease a careful read and find the clauses and sections that need to be changed. They will need to be referenced in the amendment.
Step 2 – Write the Amendment
Write the amendment while referencing the original lease and the terms that will be changed. The details of the landlord and tenant should also be included as well as the property address.
Write the changes that are being made to the lease agreement and make sure both parties understand and review.
Step 3 – Get Both Parties to Sign
For the amendment to be legally recognized it must be signed by both the landlord and tenant. After both parties have signed, the amendment should be attached to the original lease.
