Residential Lease Agreement Templates

1. Parties

2. Premises

The landlord leases to the tenant, and the tenant rents from the landlord, the residential premises located at:

Premises Address: [Street Address, Unit/Apt Number, City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code, Country]

Type of Premises: Apartment

The Premises include the following, if applicable:

• Parking space(s): [Number and location, if any]

• Storage space: [Description or "None"]

• Common areas: [Hallways, yard, laundry room, etc., as applicable]

3. Term of Lease

Lease Type (select one):

☑ Fixed-term lease

☐ Month-to-month lease

If Fixed-Term Lease:

Start Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

End Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

The Lease will end on the End Date unless renewed in writing or as required by law.

4. Rent

Monthly Rent Amount: [Currency and Amount]

Rent Due Date: [Day of each month, e.g., "1st of each month"]

Permitted Payment Methods: [Bank transfer, online payment, check, money order, etc.]

Place/Account for Payment: [Address or banking/online details]

Returned Payment Fee (if a payment is returned or dishonored): [Currency and Amount]

5. Security Deposit

Security Deposit Amount: [Currency and Amount]

The Tenant pays the Security Deposit to the Landlord to secure the Tenant's obligations under this Lease. The Security Deposit may be used, as permitted by law, to cover unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or other amounts owed under this Lease.

Within the time required by applicable law after the Tenant vacates the Premises, the Landlord will return any remaining Security Deposit to the Tenant, less lawful deductions, along with an itemized statement of deductions if required.

6. Use and Occupancy

• The Premises will be used only as a private residence for the Tenant(s) and the following authorized occupants: [Names and relationships of other authorized occupants, if any].

• The maximum number of occupants may not exceed: [Number], unless otherwise allowed by law and agreed in writing by the Landlord.

• The Tenant may not use the Premises for commercial or illegal purposes.

• The Tenant may not sublet the Premises or assign this Lease without the Landlord's prior written consent, except as permitted by law.

7. Utilities and Services

The following utilities/services are included in the rent and paid by the Landlord:

The Tenant is responsible for paying all other utilities/services not listed as included above, and for placing any required accounts in the Tenant's name.

8. Maintenance, Repairs, and Alterations

Landlord Responsibilities:

• Maintain the main structural components of the building and major building systems (e.g., roof, plumbing serving the entire building, electrical, heating, and common areas), as required by law.

• Keep the Premises in habitable condition consistent with applicable housing codes.

Tenant Responsibilities:

• Keep the Premises clean and reasonably sanitary.

• Use appliances, fixtures, and facilities properly and safely.

• Promptly notify the Landlord of any needed repairs or unsafe conditions.

• Be responsible for damage caused by the Tenant, occupants, or guests beyond normal wear and tear.

The Tenant may not make significant alterations, improvements, or installations (for example, structural changes, new locks, large fixtures) without the Landlord's prior written consent.

9. Rules, Pets, and Smoking

House Rules (if any) are attached as: ["House Rules Addendum" or "None"].

The Tenant agrees to follow any written rules provided by the Landlord that are reasonable and non-discriminatory.

Pets:

Pet Policy:

☑ No pets are allowed on the Premises.

Smoking:

Smoking Policy:

☑ Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the Premises (including inside the unit and any common or outdoor areas under Landlord control).

10. Landlord's Right of Entry

The Landlord may enter the Premises for reasonable purposes, such as repairs, inspections, maintenance, showing the Premises to prospective tenants or buyers, or in an emergency.

Except in emergencies or as allowed by law, the Landlord will give the Tenant reasonable advance notice before entering, such as [Number of hours or days, e.g., "24 hours"], and will enter at reasonable times of day.

11. Insurance and Risk

The Landlord's insurance generally does not cover the Tenant's personal property.

The Tenant is encouraged to obtain renter's insurance to cover personal belongings and liability.

The Tenant is responsible for loss or damage to personal property kept at the Premises, except as otherwise provided by law or by written agreement.

12. Default and Remedies

Tenant is in default under this Lease if the Tenant:

• Fails to pay rent when due and does not cure within any required grace or notice period;

• Materially violates any term of this Lease or house rules;

• Causes significant damage or disturbance;

• Engages in illegal conduct on the Premises, as defined by applicable law.

If a default occurs, the Landlord may take actions allowed by law, which can include written notices, opportunity to cure, termination of the Lease, and, where lawfully permitted, initiating eviction proceedings.

Landlord is in default if the Landlord materially fails to perform obligations required by this Lease or by law, such as maintaining the Premises in a habitable condition. The Tenant may have rights and remedies under local law, which may include written notices, repair-and-deduct (in some jurisdictions), or other legal remedies.

13. Early Termination and Renewal

If the Tenant wishes to end the Lease early, the Tenant should provide written notice and may be responsible for rent through the end of the term or until a replacement tenant is found, as permitted by law and by any early termination terms agreed below:

Early Termination Terms (if any): [Description or "None"].

At the end of the Lease term:

• The Lease will: ☑ Automatically renew on a month-to-month basis unless either party gives [Number] days' written notice of non-renewal.

• The Lease will: ☐ End automatically unless a new written lease is signed.

14. Move-Out, Cleaning, and Condition

When the Lease ends and the Tenant moves out, the Tenant will:

• Remove all personal property;

• Clean the Premises, including appliances, floors, and fixtures, to a reasonable standard;

• Return all keys, fobs, and access devices to the Landlord;

• Leave the Premises in substantially the same condition as at move-in, except for normal wear and tear.

The parties may use a Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist attached as an addendum.

15. Notices

All notices under this Lease must be in writing and delivered by one or more of the following methods (as permitted by law):

• Personal delivery;

• Certified or registered mail;

• Recognized courier service;

• Email (if the parties agree to accept email notices): [List of accepted email addresses].

Notices will be sent to the addresses listed for each party in Section 1 unless a new notice address is provided in writing.

16. Governing Law

This Lease will be governed by the laws of: [State/Province, Country].

If any part of this Lease is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest of the Lease will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.

17. Entire Agreement and Amendments

This Lease, including any attached addenda or disclosures, is the entire agreement between the parties regarding the Premises and replaces any prior written or oral agreements about the same subject.

Any change to this Lease must be in writing and signed by both the Landlord and Tenant, unless applicable law provides otherwise.