Sample Residential Lease Agreement - Free Residential Lease Form

Free Residential Lease Agreement

Looking for a free residential lease agreement to rent your property? Then make use of our free residential lease form below to set up your lease quick and easy today.

Before Using Our Residential Lease Form, You Should Know These Facts

Free residential lease agreements are not hard to find but most of them are long, unwieldy and overloaded with Latin jargon.

You won't find any of that nonsense with our standard lease agreement in plain English - On top of being accurate, we have taken great pains to make sure that it's an absolute breeze for you to use.

Before inking our free residential lease forms, do take a closer look at these finer points:

Term - Residential leases come in two common flavors: fixed term lease and month to month lease. Choosing the right type of lease is important because it has a direct impact on when the rent can be increased, how you can terminate the lease and how the lease will be renewed.

Condition of Premises - The tenant is commonly given 3 to 7 days to inform the landlord of any defects or problems with the property. If you have already inspected the rental property, then switch to this line in your residential lease agreement - "The Tenant acknowledges that he/she has inspected the Premises and found it to be in a clean, safe and habitable condition."

Pets - Pets in rental properties has always been a thorny issue between landlords and tenants. Some landlords slap a strict ban on all animals, while other landlords welcome pets in exchange for a pet deposit and slightly higher rent.

Attention U.S. Landlords: If you are renting out housing built before 1978, then you are required by law to give a lead paint disclosure - Click here for our Lead Based Paint Disclosure Form.

* While we work hard to make sure that our sample residential lease agreement is helpful, you must edit it according to your own needs and local real estate law. Always seek legal help when in doubt.

Residential Lease Agreement

This Residential Lease Agreement is made between the Landlord _________________________ _____ and the Tenant ______________________________ on this date _______________.

The Landlord hereby agrees to rent the Premises to the Tenant and Tenant hereby agrees to rent the Premises from the Landlord. The Premises is described as follows:

Street Address: ________________________________________________________________

Premises Description: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

1. TERM:

The Lease term shall be as follows (choose one):

[ ] Fixed term lease beginning on _______________ and ending on _______________ for a total period of _____ months.

[ ] Month to month lease beginning on _______________.

2. RENT:

The Tenant agrees to pay the Landlord an amount of $ _______________ per month as rent on or before the _____ day of each month.

If rent due is not paid on of before the _____ day of the month, Tenant agrees to pay a late charge of $ _______________ plus an additional late charge of $ _______________ per day until the rent is paid in full.

3. SECURITY DEPOSIT:

The Tenant shall deposit an amount of $ _______________ to be held by the Landlord as security deposit. This deposit shall be refunded to the Tenant upon termination of this Lease after deducting for any of the following: default of rent payment, loss or damage to the Premises or its furnishings, any required cleaning of the Premises and for any other reason allowed by law.

4. USE OF PREMISES:

The Premises shall be occupied only by the Tenant and the following occupants:
______________________________________________________________________________

The Tenant shall use the Premises for residential purposes only and may not use it for any other purpose with the written consent of the Landlord. The Tenant may not sublet this Premises or assign this Lease to any other persons without the written consent of the Landlord.

5. CONDITION OF PREMISES:

The Tenant is to give the Landlord a written notice of defects in the Premises within _____ days of taking possession. If no such notice is given, the Tenant accepts that the Premises, its furnishing and appliances are in good order and condition.

6. UTILITIES AND SERVICES:

The Landlord agrees to pay for the following services if it is checked below:

[ ] Electricity
[ ] Water
[ ] Gas
[ ] Waste Disposal
[ ] Internet
[ ] Cable TV
[ ] Gardening
[ ] Others: ______________________________

The Tenant agrees to pay for all other utility charges and fees for the Premises during the term of the Lease.

7. PETS:

No pets, dogs, cats or animals of any kind shall be allowed in the Premises without the written consent of the Landlord. If such consent is given, the terms of pet ownership is to be stated in a pet addendum attached to this residential lease agreement.

8. RIGHT TO ENTER:

The Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable hours to inspect the Premises, make repairs or to show it to prospective purchasers, tenants or agents. The Landlord shall inform the Tenant of his/her intention to enter the Premises at least _____ hours in advance. In the case of emergency or abandonment, the Landlord may enter the Premises at any time without notice.

9. REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE:

The Tenant agrees to take good care of the Premises and promptly notify the Landlord of any defects or damages to the Premises in writing. After receiving the written notice, the Landlord shall make any necessary repairs to the Premises within a reasonable time. Tenant shall be responsible for any repair costs incurred due to abuse or negligent acts by the Tenant, his/her occupants, guests or pets.

10. ALTERATIONS:

The Tenant agrees not to make any alterations, additions, improvements or painting to the Premises, nor to change or add locks, fixtures or wiring without the written consent of the Landlord. If such consent is given, all such alterations shall be made at the expense of the Tenant and shall become the property of the Landlord.

11. GARDENS AND LAWNS

The Tenant is to maintain the grounds and gardens of the Premises in good condition at his own expense. This includes but is not limited to keeping the existing gardens of the Premises weed free and well watered.

12. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION:

If the Premises is rendered inhabitable by an act of God or other casualty, this Lease shall terminate and rent payments shall be prorated as of such date.

13. ABANDONMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY:

Any personal property of whatever kind left outside the Premises or in the Premises by the Tenant upon his/her abandonment (whether or not at termination of this Lease) shall be deemed abandoned, and the Landlord shall have the right and option to take possession of the personal property and sell, destroy or dispose it.

14. DEFAULT:

The Tenant will be in default of this residential lease agreement if he/she

1. fails to pay the full rent when due or
2. fails to fulfill any term or condition of this Lease and such default continues for _____ days after the Landlord has given notice of it to the Tenant or
3. abandons the Apartment or
4. makes any mispresentation in his/her rental application or
5. remains in the Premises upon termination of this Lease without the Landlord's written consent

If the Tenant is in default, the Landlord shall have the right to terminate this residential lease agreement by giving the Tenant a 3 day notice in writing.

15. VALIDITY:

If any term of this Lease is held to be invalid, it shall not affect the validity of any other term in the Lease.

16. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Landlord Name: ______________________________

Landlord Signature: ______________________________ Date: _______________

Landlord Address: ______________________________________________________________

Tenant Name: ______________________________

Tenant Signature: ______________________________ Date: _______________

Tenant Address: _______________________________________________________________

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