Free Fillable Lease Agreement Form

Can a lease agreement be changed after it has been signed?

A lease agreement can be changed if both parties agree to the changes. If one party does not agree to the changes, then the original lease agreement remains in effect.

What happens if the tenant doesn’t pay rent?

If the tenant doesn’t pay rent, the landlord may take legal action against them. This could include evicting the tenant from the property or suing them for damages.

Can the landlord enter the rental unit without the tenant’s permission?

The landlord can only enter the rental unit if it is stated in the lease agreement. If it is not stated in the lease agreement, the landlord must have the tenant’s permission before entering.

Can the tenant sublease the property to someone else?

The tenant can only sublease the property if it is stated in the lease agreement. If it is not stated in the lease agreement, the tenant must have the landlord’s permission before subleasing.

What happens if the tenant damages the property?

If the tenant damages the property, the landlord may take legal action against them. This could include evicting the tenant from the property or suing them for damages.

What happens if the landlord sells the property?

If the landlord sells the property, the new owner must honor the lease agreement. The tenant does not have to move out unless the new owner decides to end the lease agreement.

What happens if the property is destroyed?

If the property is destroyed, the lease agreement is void. The tenant does not have to pay monthly rent and can move out of the property.

Where can I find a good and free lease agreement template?

On our website, you can find a lease form that was checked by attorneys and covers the most important details of the rental agreement.

A tenant should only sign a lease agreement after they have read and understood all the terms and conditions. They should make sure that they are comfortable with the monthly rent amount, the length of the lease, and the rules of the property before signing.

If the tenant has any questions, they should ask the landlord before signing the agreement. Once both parties have signed the lease agreement, it is a legally binding contract.

What Happens if the Tenant Breaks the Lease Agreement?

If a tenant breaks the lease by damaging the property, not paying rent, or anything else that requires them to be evicted, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process. How they handle the situation will depend on what the tenant did. If a tenant breaks their lease and moves out, the landlord will have to decide how they will move forward. The eviction process can help them attempt to resolve differences with the tenant, and then get a judge’s ruling on whether or not the lease was broken if necessary. Evictions can be hard, but they can also be necessary to take back control of the landlord’s rental unit.

The lease might be still active until certain conditions are met, so the landlord has to be careful during this process. The goal should be to get any rent that is overdue, as well as any early termination fee that was specified in the original rental lease agreement.

For a landlord, it is important to know what they are doing when going through the steps to end a lease agreement. The longer it takes to do these steps, the more money is lost. The new tenant needs to be found as soon as possible. If a tenant breaks their lease and moves out early, the landlord has to try to find another tenant with reasonable effort. They can’t just sit back and collect rent from the former tenant; the property owner has to advertise the property and accept new tenants into the property. By putting in the effort, they can legally continue to collect rent from their former tenant until they find a new one, according to most states and cities.

Finding a new tenant as soon as possible is in both the landlord’s best interest and their legal obligation. The landlord does not have to lower the rent or spend more on marketing than they usually would, but they do have to make an honest effort to fill the vacancy (as they would for any other vacancy). Ensuring that the property is rented as quickly as possible after a tenant has moved out can be complicated if the rent is overdue, so it is best to limit the time that the property is vacant as much as possible by signing an end-of-lease-agreement.

When a tenant is moving out, and is leaving on good terms, it is best to sign an end-of-lease agreement. This agreement considers what will happen to the property, what the lease was, and what money is owed. Doing this helps both parties document the end of the lease, and work through any other details that may come up.

Therefore, it is important for both parties to understand and agree to the terms of the lease agreement before signing it. This will help avoid any legal problems down the road.

What Happens if the Landlord Breaks the Lease Agreement?

Landlords and tenants are both bound by the terms of a lease agreement, much like any other contract. Both parties can break the lease, and most people know that if the tenant breaks the lease there can be repercussions: losing a security deposit, being evicted, or having to pay late fees.

But what about if the landlord is breaking the terms of the lease? Here’s what you need to know: Depending on the laws in your city and state, a landlord must give a tenant notice (in writing) that the lease is being terminated for a reason, and may give the tenant an opportunity to fix the problem. The amount of notice required and the details of the termination can vary depending on where the property is located. If a tenant fails to pay rent, commits another violation specified in their lease or rental agreement, or breaks a law responsibility, then the landlord can terminate the agreement.

A landlord’s options for ending a lease agreement without a valid reason are more limited. They can’t end a lease that has months remaining on the term, for example, they could not kick a tenant out three months into a year-long lease. Leases that are week-to-week or month-to-month can be broken by either party, as long as it is not a form of retaliation, and proper notice is given. Another way that a landlord can break their lease is to make the living conditions so horrible for the tenant that they are forced to leave. The landlord can also break the lease by not making necessary repairs, violating safety and health codes, or evoking the tenant out of the property through legal means.

If the landlord does not provide essential amenities (heat, water, etc.) or repair code violations that a tenant has written them a letter about, the tenant can contact their local housing authorities or building inspectors and report the violation. Some states allow the tenant to withhold some of their rent money (the amount equal to how much the dwelling has decreased in quality due to code violations) and place it in a separate bank account.

What Are the Rent or Lease Addendums and Disclosures?

There are several important documents that are typically included as part of a lease or rental agreement. These documents are known as addendums and disclosures, and they help to protect both the landlord and tenant.

1. The first document is the security deposit receipt. This document should be signed by both the landlord and tenant when the security deposit is paid. It should include the amount of the deposit, how it will be used, and when it will be returned to the tenant.

2. The second document is the rental lease agreement itself. This document should be clear and concise, and it should spell out the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.

3. The third document is an inventory list. This should be completed before the tenant moves in, and it should list all of the items that are included in the rental unit.

4. The fourth document is a pet addendum. This should be completed if the tenant plans on having a pet on the property. It should include information on the type and number of pets allowed, as well as any pet deposits that are required.

5. The fifth document is a smoking addendum. This should be completed if the tenant plans on smoking on the rental property. It should include information on where smoking is allowed and whether or not a smoking deposit is required.

6. The sixth document is a lead paint disclosure. This is required by law in some states, and it should be included if the property was built before 1978.

The seventh document is a utility addendum. This should be completed if the tenant will be responsible for paying for any utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water.

The above-mentioned documents are important because they help to protect both the landlord and tenant. They should be reviewed carefully before signing, and both parties should keep a copy for their records.

Lease Renewal Agreement

Quite often, a landlord might want to change the terms of the lease without creating a new rental agreement and changing the terms of the existing document. In this case, the best document to use is the lease renewal agreement. If both parties agree to continue their tenant-landlord relations, the lease renewal agreement will help formalize their intentions.

If there are some other provisions the parties would want to change apart from the lease term, they might sign a lease renewal agreement that will include a new rent amount, new rules of tenancy, etc.

Notice of Lease Non-renewal

This document is used by landlords when they don’t intend to renew a lease agreement. Tenants can use this document as well if they plan to move from the rented premises after the term of the rental contract ends.

The notice should be sent in advance so that the other party has time to take the respective actions. The document lets a landlord start looking for a new tenant in advance having a guarantee from the current tenant that they will move by the agreed date. At the same time, the tenant has an opportunity to find a new place within the reasonable timeframe given by the landlord. States laws typically require the parties to send a 30-day notice before the end date of the lease. If it is the landlord who sends the notice, the tenant should also be told how they can get back their security deposit.

Rent Increase Notice

This document will be needed if the tenant decides to raise the price of the rent previously agreed by the parties in the lease agreement. It might happen due to bringing renovations to the rental property, change of high property tax, the general tendency of rising monthly rent prices in the neighborhood, etc.

The document allows a landlord to notify a tenant in advance giving them the time to think whether or not a new term fits them.

Only a few states do not allow rising monthly rent prices. These are the following six states: California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Oregon. Other states do not set any limits for increasing the rent cost.

There are several types of residential rental agreements:

1. A month-to-month agreement is a legally binding contract between the landlord and tenant. It is probably the most common type of rental agreement. The month-to-month agreement states the terms of the tenancy, such as the monthly rent amount, due date, and length of the tenancy. A month-to-month agreement can be ended by either the landlord or tenant with proper notice.

2. A week-to-week rental agreement is used for short-term rentals, such as vacation rentals and properties that are not permanent residences. They help define the terms of the rental for the length of a week and protect both the owner and tenant. These agreements are similar to longer leases and need to be drafted accurately.

3. A rent-to-own rental agreement is an agreement between the landlord and tenant where the tenant agrees to make monthly payments that will go towards the purchase of the property. A lease with an option to buy is an agreement between the landlord and tenant where the tenant has the option to purchase the property at a specified price within a certain timeframe.

4. A sublease agreement is an agreement between a tenant and subtenant where the subtenant agrees to rent a portion of the residential property from the tenant. This type of agreement is often used when the tenant wants to move out before their lease is up.

5. Tenancy at will is an agreement where either the landlord or tenant can end the lease at any time, for any reason, with proper notice (the term of which will depend on your state’s requirements). A periodic tenancy is an agreement that automatically renews until either the landlord or tenant gives proper notice to end the lease.

6. A fixed-term tenancy is an agreement that lasts for a specific amount of time, such as six months or one year. After the fixed term is up, the lease agreement can be renewed or ended.

Types of Commercial Lease Agreements

There are three types of commercial lease agreements: the gross lease, the net lease, and the percentage lease.

1. A gross lease is a commercial lease agreement where the tenant pays a fixed monthly rent amount. The landlord is responsible for paying for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

2. A net lease is a lease agreement where the tenant is paying rent in a fixed amount per month plus additional amounts for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The landlord is not responsible for paying these additional amounts.

3. A percentage lease is a commercial lease agreement where the tenant pays a percentage of their sales in addition to a fixed monthly rent amount. The landlord is not responsible for paying for property taxes, insurance, or maintenance.

Some common clauses that are included in a rental contract are:

• The names of the landlord and tenant

• The address of the rental property

• The term of the tenancy

• The monthly rent amount and due date

• The security deposit amount

• Utility bills that are included in the rent

• Rules and regulations regarding the use of the property

Both parties should read and understand these clauses before signing the rental agreement. If there are any questions, they should be clarified before both parties sign the agreement.

What Requirements Do States Set for Lease Agreements?

Leases between landlords and tenants are different across states because landlord-tenant laws are controlled by each state separately. Rental leases need to contain certain elements to be considered valid, regardless of the state the property is in. These elements are outlined in the lease, helping both the tenant and landlord understand their obligations, and avoid confusion that could lead to lawsuits.

The vast majority of states require lease agreements to be in writing, while other states do not. If the lease agreement is written, it must be valid. The agreement must include a description of the property, such as its physical address. Not all states require leases to be in writing, but all states consider leases that are written to be valid. A lease must include the dates that it starts and ends, as well as the amount of monthly rent. It must also show how and when the rent needs to be paid.

All leases in the US must follow federal Fair Housing Laws, and must detail where and when the rent is due (in the landlord’s office, for example), as well as any grace periods the landlord is offering. The tenant must also sign the lease original, not a copy. Conditions that would make a lease invalid are if the landlord and tenant are not equal bargaining parties, the rent is clearly higher than the market rate, if any additional fees or charges are added on to the originally stated rent, or if there are any pre-printed language in the contract. Leases can’t contain clauses that waive a tenant’s right to their security deposit or release the landlord of responsibility for maintaining a safe and habitable property. The lease must also not contain clauses that would prevent the tenant from suing the landlord.

Some common lease provisions are:

1. Acknowledgment that the property will be occupied by more than one tenant.

2. Acknowledgment that additional occupants will increase the liability for damages.

3. Acknowledgment that pets may cause damage to property.

4. Promise to hold the landlord harmless for injuries occurring on the premises, except when negligence is proven on part of the landlord.

5. Promise to return the property in clean condition, free of damage other than reasonable wear and tear. When pets are allowed, a deposit might be required. The lease should include all details possible, such as utility bills, security deposits, and pet deposits.

Leases often have details about the renters insurance, how many people can live in the apartment, and whether the tenant is allowed to rent out the apartment.

Before signing a rental agreement, both parties should check with their state’s laws to see what is required. This will help ensure that the agreement is legal and binding in their state.

If you have a property you want to rent out, you should take a serious approach to this. Some preparing of the rental unit, finding diligent tenants, and keeping track of the tenant’s comfort as well as their proper exploitation of the premises awaits you once you decide to become a landlord.

Here are the steps that every landlord should take when they are renting out their property.

Step 1 – Make sure the property is in good condition

By preparing the home like it is going to be on HGTV, it will be more liveable by removing clutter and any valuable items. A fresh coat of paint should be put on the walls, and the home should be decluttered. Make sure that all appliances are functioning, and that nothing is broken. Check heating and air conditioning filters, and clean the windows. A tenant could live in your home and never have any problems, and you would never have to worry about the property again. It is also important to clean the carpets professionally, and treat for pests. 

Step 2 – Choose the right tenant

Finding a good tenant is key, and renting through a property management company is the best way to do this. Good tenants can still damage property, and it is important for renters to remember that.

Owners often forget that good tenants can still damage a property. Renter should go through a property management company, as they have the resources to thoroughly vet potential renters. If you are going to rent out your property, make sure that you check out the potential tenant’s history by requiring that they give you the names of three references, and also check their rental history. If you like things being taken care of for you, then a property management company will check the applicant’s credit, do a background check, and require a deposit.

Step 3 – Set up a rental agreement

Making sure your rental agreement is legal and valid is crucial, so be sure to check the legal basis of each clause. Some states may have laws regarding the financial portions of leasing agreements, along with strict guidelines regarding penalties and termination. Making a checklist of your requirements and integrating these into your rental agreement is a good time to get started on this. The person renting the property must review the agreement, and may ask to change some parts of it. If you agree to the changes, both you and the tenant must sign each page of the rental agreement after it has been notarized.

Step 4 – Collect a security deposit

Some states have laws about how the security sum should be handled. The landlord has to put the deposit in a local bank and earn interest on the deposit. In some states, the landlord has to pay the interest earned on the security deposit back to the tenant on the date of their lease expiration, and if the tenant is more than 10 days late paying rent for any month, then the landlord does not have to pay the interest for that month (unless the lease already has a penalty for late payment). Some states require landlords to place the tenant’s security deposit in an interest-bearing bond, along with two other options. Luckily, most states only require the security sum to be stored in a separate bank account. It is good bookkeeping practice to keep track of the security deposit in a separate bank account.

Step 5 – Perform an inspection

The tenant should be present when the inspector goes over the property inside and out. The inside inspection should look at the condition of plumbing, light fixtures, and appliances. It should also check for leaks and general cleanliness. The outside inspection should look at the paint, roof, fencing, pet mess, lawn care (if the tenant does it), and general appearance of the property. The property owner or manager can conduct the inspection, but an initial general inspection should be done on all new tenants within three months of moving in. The first inspection gives the tenant an idea of how the property looked when they moved in, and sets the expectation that the property will be clean. The inspectors can also get a feel for how their tenants have felt about the property. If everything looks good, an inspector can wait 6 months before coming back for their next inspection.

Step 6 – Follow all state and local laws

State laws cover many aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship, from security deposits to landlord access to rental property. Before renting out the rental property, make sure that you carefully went through key provisions regarding the landlord-tenant law in your state. As well as that, learn the specific rules covering some important matters such as security deposit limits and the deadline for return. You will also want to learn at what time it is legal for you to enter rental property.