A residential lease agreement is a contract between the landlord and tenant for the use of residential property in exchange for monthly rent. The form must be written in accordance with State law and must include any required disclosures or statements. It is recommended for the landlord to require the tenant to complete a rental application and verify their employment and income prior to executing a lease.
Main Elements
- Rent Amount ($)
- Start and End Dates
- Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- Deposits and Fees
- Disclosures
Table of Contents
- Residential Lease Agreements: By State
- Residential Lease Agreements: By Type (13)
- Addendums (14)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Related Forms (11)
By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
By Type (13)
- Airbnb
- One (1) Page
- Condominium (condo)
- Family Member
- Month-to-Month (tenancy-at-will)
- Parking Space
- Rent-to-Own (option to purchase)
- Roommate
- Short-Term
- Standard (1 year)
- Sublease
- Vacation
- Week-to-Week
Addendums (13)
- Airbnb
- Add Tenant
- Co-Signer
- Early Lease Termination
- Insurance
- Lease Extension
- Mold
- Month-to-Month
- Non Smoking
- Pet (animal)
- Pool / Hot Tub
- Renewal
- Residential (blank)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can you add an amendment to a lease agreement?
- Does a residential lease need to be notarized?
- How much notice is required for lease violations?
- How much of the tenant’s income should be spent on rent?
Can you add an amendment to a lease agreement?
Yes, either the landlord can add an amendment after the original lease has been signed. For an amendment to be added, both parties are required to agree and sign.
Does a residential lease need to be notarized?
No, the landlord and tenant are the only parties required to sign a residential lease. They can sign by handwriting or use digital services such as DocuSign (paid) or eSign.com (free).
How much notice is required for lease violations?
Depends on the violation and the State where the property is located. Use the Table of Laws (eviction) to find the required notice period.
How much of the tenant’s income should be spent on rent?
The general rule is no more than 30% of the tenant’s income should be spent on rent. If the tenant is going to spend more the landlord is recommended to require a co-signer or the maximum security deposit allowed.
