What Is a Rental Agreement?

A Rental Agreement - often confused with a Lease Agreement - is a formal written agreement between the owner and a renter of certain property. Rental Agreements are usually shorter-term contracts that are made on a month-to-month basis. These must be either renewed monthly by the parties involved or are automatically renewed at the end of the month unless either the owner or the renter express their desire to end the agreement. Any property or item may be leased out to a renter. There are land rentals , vehicle leases , and even short-term equipment rentals . Apartments and houses - both being the most popular among all of the types of leased property - fall under the category of residential rentals , while offices and commercial spaces are considered commercial leases . A lease - especially when talking about something as serious as renting out a house - is meant to protect both the owner and the renter (in this case - the landlord and the tenant) by securing their rights and responsibilities . Want to learn more about renting ? Check out our tips for first-time renters and our articles on performing property inspections before moving in and moving out .

What to Include in a Rental Agreement?

There are certain basics that every Lease and Rental Agreement should feature. These include the following: The names of all renters (for residential leases - the names of all adult tenants) that will be using the rented item or property. Listing all renters makes each of them legally responsible for honoring the terms outlined in the agreement. The term and type of the lease and the overall flexibility of the arrangement. The amount of rent, the acceptable payment methods , and the date the rent is due. Reimbursable and non-reimbursable security deposits and additional fees. Maintenance and repairs in case of any damages done to the rented property . Residential Lease Agreements , specifically, should feature the following information: Limits on tenant occupancy. This clause guarantees the right of the landlord to determine who lives in their property and to prevent any subleases attempted without permission. The landlords legal rights to access the rental property. The policies regarding pets and - if allowed - any restrictions on the size, type, or the number of pets the tenant may bring onto the property. The lease is no longer considered legally binding if either one of the parties breaks any of the terms of the agreement.

Free Rental Agreement Templates by State - Download Fillable PDF

Rental Agreement Templates by State

Related Articles

Documents:

RAP Form 11 Objections to Cost - Washington

Residential Eviction Complaint - Oregon

Answer to a Residential Eviction - Oregon

Residential Eviction General Judgment - Oregon

Roster of Pedicabs - New York City

Lease Statement - Quebec, Canada

Form CLK/CT.791 Statement of Claim (Back Rent) - Miami-Dade County, Florida

Landlord Tenant Agreement - Weatherization Assistance Program - Arizona

Form DC-CV-115 Notice of Intent to File a Complaint for Summary Ejectment (Failure to Pay Rent) (Real Property Article 8-401(C)) - Maryland

Short Term Rental Application - City of McAllen, Texas

Application for Rental - Redden State Forest Lodge - Delaware

Notice to Vacate (Giving Your Tenant Notice of Termination) - Montana

Instructions for RAD Form 8 Housing Provider's Notice to Tenant of Rent Adjustment - Washington, D.C. (French)

RAD Form 9 Certificate of Rent Adjustment - Washington, D.C. (French)

RAD Form 4 Rent History Disclosure - Washington, D.C. (Chinese)

Rental Registration Application - Town of Patterson, New York

Airbnb Setting up Checklist

Landlord/Tenant Complaint Form - Maryland

RAD Form 10 Notice of Nonpayment and Possible Eviction - Washington, D.C.

Instructions for RAD Form 10 Notice of Nonpayment and Possible Eviction - Washington, D.C.

Home Rent Approval Form - Georgia (United States), 2023

RAD Form 4 Rent History Disclosure for All Rental - Washington, D.C. (French)

Form DC-CV-085 Complaint and Summons Against Tenant in Breach of Lease - Maryland

Form DC-CV-089 Complaint for Wrongful Detainer - Maryland

Form RW10-01 Owner's Certification of Tenants - California

Application by Tenant to Deposit Rent - City of South Euclid, Ohio

Form 1AA Residential Tenancy Agreement - Western Australia, Australia

Summer Rental Application - Village of Westhampton Beach, New York

Form DOT RW10-01 Owner's Certification of Tenants - California

Form DOT RW11-10 60-day Notice to Terminate Tenancy - California

Form DOT RW11-12 3-day Notice to Correct Breach of Covenant or Quit (Curable Breach) - California

Landlord Verification Form - Connecticut

Form I-017I Rent Certificate - Wisconsin, 2023

Form DOT RW10-23 30-day Notice to Vacate - Residential Occupant - California

Form DOT RW10-22 60-day Notice to Vacate - Residential Occupant - California

Form DOT RW11-05 Residential Rental Application - California

Form DOT RW11-13 3-day Notice to Quit for Breach of Covenant (Incurable Breach) - California