Lease Agreement

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A lease agreement is a legally binding contract wherein a property owner (lessor) grants temporary possession and use of real property to another party (lessee) for specified consideration and duration, subject to mutually agreed terms and conditions.

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LEASE AGREEMENT

This Lease Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") is made and entered into by and between:

LESSOR

Lessor Name:
Address:

hereinafter referred to as "LESSOR," 

AND

LESSEE

Lessee Name:
Address:

hereinafter referred to as "LESSEE."

LEASE TYPE

LEASE TERM

Start Date:
End Date:

RENT

Rent Amount: $
Rent Due Date:

Security Deposit

Upon execution of this Lease, LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR a security deposit in the amount of $.

Use and Return

The LESSOR may apply the security deposit to remedy any default by the LESSEE under this Lease, including, but not limited to, unpaid rent, late fees, and damages to the Premises beyond normal wear and tear.

Within days after lessee vacates the Premises, Landlord shall return the security deposit less any lawful deductions, along with an itemized statement of any deductions made.

UTILITIES & SERVICES

Lessee shall be responsible for the payment of all utilities and services supplied to the Premises unless otherwise specified.

LESSEE agrees to pay all utility and service charges promptly as they become due. Any utilities or services that remain in LESSOR's name shall be reimbursed by the LESSEE to LESSOR within days of lessee's receipt of Landlord's invoice for such charges.
Interruptions in utilities or services caused by circumstances beyond LESSOR's reasonable control shall not be considered a default by LESSOR under this Lease.

lessee agrees to use utilities and services reasonably and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Failure by lessee to pay any utilities or services when due shall constitute a breach of this Lease Agreement and shall entitle Landlord to exercise all remedies available under this Lease and applicable law.

RULES & RESTRICTIONS

OCCUPANCY LIMIT

Maximum Occupants Allowed:

PETS

SMOKING

MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

Landlord Responsibilities:
lessee Responsibilities:

DEFAULT

If lessee fails to pay rent within the grace period, or otherwise breaches this Agreement, Landlord may terminate this Agreement in compliance with state and local laws.

TERMINATION & RENEWAL

The Landlord and lessee may terminate this Agreement by providing proper notice as required by law or as specified in this Agreement.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination, or validity thereof, that cannot be resolved amicably through good faith negotiation between the parties within thirty days from the date the dispute is first raised in writing, shall first be submitted to mediation through a mediator certified in the state where the Premises are located.

If mediation does not resolve the dispute within sixty days after the appointment of the mediator, either party may then demand arbitration. Such arbitration shall be conducted in the county where the Premises are located, in accordance with the laws of the state where the Premises are located.

The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding upon all parties, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The costs of mediation and/or arbitration shall be paid by the party deemed at fault.
Nothing in this clause shall prohibit either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to protect their rights pending the outcome of the mediation or arbitration. The parties expressly waive their right to a jury trial for any matters arising under this Agreement.

The provisions of this clause shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state of .

SIGNATURES

By signing this Agreement, the parties agree to the terms above.

Lessor Signature: ______________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Lessee Signature: ______________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

What is a lease agreement?

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a lessor (property owner) and a lessee (tenant), establishing the terms under which the lessee may occupy and use the lessor's property for a specified period. This contractual arrangement delineates the rights and obligations of both parties, including payment terms, maintenance responsibilities, and conditions for termination.

The essential elements of a lease agreement typically include:

  • Identification of the parties and property
  • Duration of the lease term
  • Rent amount and payment schedule
  • Security deposit requirements
  • Maintenance and repair obligations
  • Restrictions on property use
  • Provisions for renewal or termination

How to Write a Lease Agreement

Understanding the Document

Before signing a lease agreement, tenants should thoroughly review all terms and conditions. The document typically contains provisions regarding rent payment schedules, security deposits, maintenance responsibilities, and property use restrictions. Particular attention should be paid to clauses addressing lease duration, renewal options, and early termination penalties.

Negotiation Phase

Both parties may negotiate terms prior to finalization. Tenants may request modifications to certain provisions, while landlords might adjust terms based on tenant qualifications. This negotiation process often involves discussion of rent amounts, lease duration, pet policies, and maintenance responsibilities.

Execution Procedure

The execution of a lease agreement follows a structured protocol:

  • Both parties must verify their identities through government-issued identification
  • Each page requires initials from all signatories to acknowledge awareness of all provisions
  • Complete signatures must appear on the final page
  • Witnesses may be required in certain jurisdictions
  • Payment of security deposit and first month's rent typically coincides with signing

Post-Signing Obligations

Following execution, tenants should request copies of the signed document for their records. Property inspection documentation, including photographs of existing damage, should be completed and submitted according to the timeline specified in the agreement. All parties must adhere to the obligations delineated in the contract throughout the tenancy period.

Leasing Laws

States Maximum Deposit Return Deadline Interest Required Common Deductions
Alabama 1 month's rent 60 days No Unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear
Alaska 2 months' rent (unless rent > $2,000) 14 days (no deductions), 30 days (with deductions) Yes, if held >2 years Deterioration or damage beyond normal wear and tear
Arizona 1.5 months' rent 14 business days Yes, 5% per year Unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, other lease non-compliance
Arkansas 2 months' rent 60 days No Damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent, late fees
California 1 month's rent (small landlords: up to 2 months') 21 days No (unless local ordinance) Damages beyond wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent
Colorado No limit 1 month (up to 60 days if specified) No Damage beyond normal wear and tear, repair, cleaning costs, unpaid rent, utility bills
Connecticut 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant >62) 30 days Yes Damage beyond normal wear and tear, repair, cleaning costs, unpaid rent, utility bills
Delaware 1 month's rent (>1 year lease), no limit (month-to-month) 20 days No Damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent or late fees, re-renting costs
Florida No limit 15-60 days Yes, if specified Damage other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, other costs from lease violations
Georgia No limit 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent and late fees
Hawaii
1 month's rent
 14 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent and late fees
Idaho No limit 21 days (up to 30 if agreed) No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, other costs from lease violations
Illinois No limit 30-45 days Yes, if held >6 months (for buildings with 25+ units) Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent
Indiana
 No limit 45 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, utility bills
Iowa
 2 months' rent 30 days Yes, after 5 years Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Kansas
 1 month's rent (unfurnished), 1.5 months' (furnished) 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Kentucky No limit Reasonable time No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Louisiana No limit 1 month No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Maine 2 months' rent 30 days (written leases), 21 days (at-will) Yes Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Maryland
2 months' rent
 45 days Yes Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Massachusetts 1 month's rent 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid rent
Michigan 1.5 months' rent 30 days Yes, if held >6 months Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Minnesota No limit 21 days Yes, 1% per year Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Mississippi No limit 45 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Missouri 2 months' rent 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Montana No limit 10 days (no deductions), 30 days (with deductions) No
Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Nebraska 1 month's rent 14 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Nevada 3 months' rent 30 days No
Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
New Hampshire 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater 30 days Yes, if held >3 years Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
New Jersey 1.5 months' rent 30 days Yes Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
New Mexico 1 month's rent (<1 year lease), no limit (≥1 year) 30 days
Yes, if held >6 months
 Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
New York 1 month's rent 14 days Yes Damages, unpaid rent, other lease violations
North Carolina 2 months' rent (>2 months tenancy), 1.5 months' (month-to-month) 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
North Dakota 1 month's rent 30 days Yes Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Ohio No limit 30 days Yes, if >$50 and held >6 months Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Oklahoma No limit 45 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Oregon No limit 31 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Pennsylvania 2 months' rent 30 days Yes, after 2 years Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Rhode Island 1 month's rent 20 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
South Carolina No limit 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
South Dakota 1 month's rent 14 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Tennessee No limit No statutory deadline No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Texas No limit 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Utah No limit 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Vermont No limit 14 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Virginia 2 months' rent 45 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Washington No limit 30 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
West Virginia No limit 45 days after next tenant moves in or 60 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Wisconsin No limit 21 days No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent
Wyoming No limit 15 days after address provided or 30 days after lease ends No Damage and repairs other than normal wear and tear, unpaid rent

 

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Caroline Brin

2 weeks ago

This lease template was clear, easy to edit, and covered all the key points like rent, deposits, and maintenance. Very helpful! Thanks!

Comments and opinions expressed by users on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. They reflect the personal views of the commenters and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel. Always consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.

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